title: Human Papillomavirus Vaccine - Knowledge and Attitudes among Parents of Children Aged 10-14 Years: a Cross-sectional Study, Tîrgu Mureş, Romania.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Romania ranks first in Europe in terms of mortality from cervical cancer, recording 6.3 times more deaths than the mean in EU countries. Although vaccination campaigns were launched by health officials in Romania, the acceptance rate remained insignificant and programmes were discontinued. A successful vaccination programme requires a high rate of acceptance and accurate information for health professionals and parents. The aim of the study was to evaluate the level of parental knowledge about human papilomavirus (HPV) infection and HPV vaccination including the information obtained from general practitioners and identification of barriers in implementing a vaccination strategy.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a cross-sectional study using a self-administered questionnaire for the parents of pupils in grades 5-8, in three randomly selected secondary schools in Tîrgu Mureş, Romania.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We surveyed 918 parents. Of the respondents, 85.8% have heard of HPV infection. Most reported an average level of knowledge about HPV infection and HPV vaccination. The two main sources of information were specialized healthcare professionals (42.8% for HPV infection, 39.1% for HPV vaccination) and the Internet browsing (42.3% and 42.9%, respectively). Based on current knowledge, only one third of parents would have their child vaccinated against HPV infection. According to most parents surveyed, the main reasons for not wanting to have their child vaccinated is the fear of side effects; the vaccine is new and insufficiently studied; or parents do not know details about the vaccine.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The parents showed the average level of knowledge about HPV infection and HPV vaccination. The implementation of an effective programme to increase the acceptance rate of HPV vaccination requires educational strategies aimed at involving parents and their children and supported by general practitioners and public health professionals.
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Tîrgu Mureş, Romania.
authors.forename: Septimiu
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Voidăzan
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Nutrition, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Tîrgu Mureş, Romania.
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tarcea
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Tîrgu Mureş, Romania.
authors.forename: Silviu-Horia
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Morariu
authors.affiliation: University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Tîrgu Mureş, Romania.
authors.forename: Adelina
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Grigore
authors.affiliation: Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Tîrgu Mureş, Romania.
authors.forename: Minodora
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dobreanu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D053918:Papillomavirus Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D012383:Romania / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D053918:Papillomavirus Vaccines
keywords: HPV infection; HPV vaccination; cervical cancer; parents; questionnaire