title: Knowledge, opinions and attitudes of Italian mothers towards HPV vaccination and Pap test.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study evaluated the knowledge and attitudes of Italian mothers - whose daughters had been vaccinated in 2012 - towards primary (anti-HPV vaccination) and secondary (Pap test screening) cervical cancer prevention, as well as sources of information and mother-daughter communication on health issues.
  
  
  METHODS
  The survey - part of a multicenter study carried out in 4 Italian cities (Ferrara, Rome, Cassino and Palermo) - was conducted through self-administered questionnaires. The first univariate analysis evaluated differences between mothers of under-18s and over-18s relative to knowledge and attitudes on HPV vaccination and Pap test. The second univariate analysis evaluated differences between the 2 groups of mothers and possible geographical variations regarding the sources of information on HPV and Pap test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The sample proved knowledgeable about the correlation between HPV and cervical cancer (&gt;85%) but less aware of other HPV-related diseases. HPV vaccination should be administered before first sexual intercourse according to mothers of over-18s, and to 14- to 17-year-olds according to mothers of under-18s. Up to 88% of mothers of under-18s and 80% of mothers of over-18s declared that the vaccine should be given free of charge. More mothers of under-18s consulted a general practitioner (GP) or gynecologist before deciding to vaccinate their daughters. Mothers of under-18s received information on HPV vaccination mainly from GPs and gynecologists, while mothers of over-18s were informed through TV and books/journals. Over 80% of the sample declared satisfaction with the information received from their gynecologist during the Pap test.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings provide useful information for the development of effective public health interventions that may help improve acceptance of HPV vaccination among mothers.
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University, Rome - Italy.
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: La Torre
authors.forename: Elisabetta
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: De Vito
authors.forename: Maria Giovanna
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Ficarra
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Firenze
authors.forename: Pasquale
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gregorio
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Miccoli
authors.forename: Guglielmo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Giraldi
authors.forename: Brigid
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Unim
authors.forename: Giulio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: De Belvis
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Boccia
authors.forename: Rosella
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Saulle
authors.forename: Leda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Semyonov
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ferrara
authors.forename: Elisa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Langiano
authors.forename: Silvio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Capizzi
authors.forename: Rosaria
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Nardella
authors.forename: Maria Grazia Laura
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Marsala
authors.forename: Valentina
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Bonanno
authors.forename: Clara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ferrara
authors.forename: Enrica
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Guidi
authors.forename: Mauro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bergamini
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lupi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D007600:Judgment; D008875:Middle Aged; D065006:Papanicolaou Test; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000821:virology; D053918:Papillomavirus Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D057566:Self Report; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000821:virology; D014611:Vaccination / Q000523:psychology
chemical_list: D053918:Papillomavirus Vaccines