Table 1 Factors in individual HPV vaccination decision
From: Parent-son decision-making about human papillomavirus vaccination: a qualitative analysis
Factors of Individual Decision | Son | Parent |
|---|---|---|
Details from doctor | Protection | Genital warts |
Genital warts | Cancer | |
Sexually Transmitted Infection | Sexually Transmitted Infection | |
Cancer | Male availability | |
Gonorrhea | Optional | |
Male availability | Before sexual initiation | |
Three shots | ||
Example Quote | Q1.1 “She was just saying it was for, you get it to prevent…you from catching genital warts and uh, she said it used to be for girls but uh, they just passed a law that it’s for boys and girls now (15 years old).” | Q1.5 “She just mentioned the [vaccine], and I told her I didn’t realize it was for males also [be]cause my daughter just finished her series of it. And then she explained to me how it can help with things like genital warts and penile cancer, and just that there are things that can be prevented in boys the same as girls. (Female, 40).” |
Reasons for vaccination | Protection | General protection of son |
Safety | Vaccine is safe | |
Stay healthy | Sexual initiation soon | |
Anticipated regret | ||
Example Quote | Q1.2 “So I can stay healthy. I don’t want to mess with them [viruses]. I don’t want to die, or I don't want to be sitting in a hospital. If there’s anything to keep myself away from it I’ma do it (15 years old).” | Q1.6 “I try very hard to protect him as much as I can because I’m not there 24 hours a day. So, I can’t walk around with, I can’t put him in a condom and hold him in there (Female, 33 years old).” |
Risks | Pain | Side effects |
Shot in penis | Questions about sex from son | |
Example Quote | Q1.3”It hurts. I believe that that painful needle will protect me, so I’m gonna get it (13 years old).” | Q1.7 “We heard when she got hers, that some kid died because they got vaccinated, that in some places they have some negative reactions, but it’s a risk. Everything has a risk (Female, 38 years old).” |
Benefits | Protection | Genital warts |
Safety | Cancer | |
Stay healthy | Sexually Transmitted Infection | |
Example Quote | Q1.4”Like this keeps you safe so you won’t be like hurt or anything like that. I guess just keep you healthy, make sure you like don’t spread it or anything like that (15 years old).” | Q1.8 “Well, the good thing is that if he decides to get sexually active that he’s protected on that [HPV]. Along with all the other protections that are out there (Female, 34 years old).” |