Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) Vaccine Acceptance for Girls Among Jewish and Muslim Parents in Israel

Several hundred species of Papillomaviridae (papillomaviruses) have been identified. The Human Papilloma Virus (HPV),transmitted by sexual intercourse, is the most common venereal disease in the western world, and the main cause of cervicalcancer. Two approved vaccines are recommended during puberty to vaccinate recipients before they are sexually active. Mostparents decide to administer the vaccine, but some oppose the vaccine for different reasons. Various factors can affect parents’decision to vaccinate their daughters. The goal of this study was to examine Israeli parents’ attitudes and knowledge aboutthe HPV vaccine, and the differences between them in their decision whether to administer the vaccine to their daughters. Across-sectional study examined the knowledge, behavioral beliefs, intention-to-administer HPV vaccines, and self-reportedscreening behavior of 150 Jewish and Muslims parents. Results indicated a link between knowledge and attitudes toward thevaccine. The more the knowledge, the higher parents’ intention was to administer the vaccine. Significant differences were foundbetween Jewish and Muslim parents’ knowledge about the HPV vaccine. Religious parents knew less and were less inclined tovaccinate. We concluded that it is very important to clarify the factors influencing parents’ decision to vaccinate their daughters.