Awareness, Preference, and Acceptance of HPV Vaccine and Related Influencing Factors Among Guardians of Adolescent Girls in China: A Health Belief Model-Based Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Cervical cancer poses a threat to the health of women globally. Adolescent girls are the primary target population for HPV vaccination, and guardians’ attitude towards the HPV vaccine plays a significant role in determining the vaccination status among adolescent girls. Objectives: This study aimed to explore the factors influencing guardians’ HPV vaccine acceptance for their girls and provide clues for the development of health intervention strategies. Methods: Combining the health belief model as a theoretical framework, a questionnaire-based survey was conducted. A total of 2157 adolescent girls and their guardians were recruited. The multivariable logistic model was applied to explore associated factors. Results: The guardians had a high HPV vaccine acceptance rate (86.7%) for their girls, and they demonstrated a relatively good level of awareness regarding HPV and HPV vaccines. Factors influencing guardians’ HPV vaccine acceptance for girls included guardians’ education background (OR = 0.57, 95%CI = 0.37–0.87), family income (OR = 1.94, 95%CI = 1.14–3.32), risk of HPV infection (OR = 3.15, 95%CI = 1.40–7.10) or importance of the HPV vaccine for their girls (OR = 6.70, 95%CI = 1.61–27.83), vaccination status surrounding them (OR = 2.03, 95%CI = 1.41–2.92), awareness of negative information about HPV vaccines (OR = 0.59, 95%CI = 0.43–0.82), and recommendations from medical staff (OR = 2.32, 95%CI = 1.65–3.25). Also, guardians preferred to get digital information on vaccines via government or CDC platforms, WeChat platforms, and medical knowledge platforms. Conclusions: Though HPV vaccine willingness was high among Chinese guardians, they preferred to vaccinate their daughters at the age of 17–18 years, later than WHO’s recommended optimal age period (9–14 years old), coupled with safety concerns. Future work should be conducted based on these findings to explore digital intervention effects on girls’ vaccination compliance.