Alaska Native parental attitudes on cervical cancer, HPV and the HPV vaccine

OBJECTIVES: To describe Alaska Native parents' knowledge of and attitudes towards cervical cancer, the human papillomavirus (HPV) and the HPV vaccine. STUDY DESIGN: This was a qualitative study composed of 11 focus groups (n = 80) that were held in 1 small village, 2 towns and 1 large urban centre in Alaska. METHODS: A convenience sample of Alaska Native parents/guardians was recruited in each community to participate in focus groups and to fill out a quantitative survey. RESULTS: While many parents had heard about HPV, most were unaware of its link with cervical cancer. The majority wanted to vaccinate their daughters because they had health and safety concerns; believed that vaccines work; had personal experiences with cancer; or believed that their daughters were susceptible to HPV. Reasons for refusal included general concerns about vaccines; a need for more information; a fear of side effects; wanting more vaccine research; and a fear of being in an experimental trial. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of parents were interested in having their daughters vaccinated. Acceptance of the vaccine was primarily based on a parent's desire to protect her/his child from cancer; while reasons for refusal revolved around trust issues and fear of unknown negative consequences of the vaccine.