Adolescents' beliefs about their parents' human papillomavirus vaccination decisions.

Forster, A S; Marlow, L A V; Waller, J · BJOG · 2010

cross_sectional · Level IV

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Abstract

A significant minority of parents are concerned that human papillomavirus vaccination will affect sexual behaviour. We explored this issue with 162 adolescent girls. Most (between 90 and 92%) did not perceive a connection between parental consent to vaccination and parental authorisation for sexual activity, but a small percentage believed that vaccination consent implied that they were old enough to have sex (8%), or that it was okay for them to be sexually active (10%). The findings are broadly reassuring, but highlight the need for vaccination information materials to clarify why the vaccine is administered before sexual debut.

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