( continued from page 21 ) titudes regarding the HPV vaccination of their sons still remains in question .
Parental Hesitancy Toward the HPV Vaccine :
Since the target group for HPV vaccination is 11-to 12-year-old children , parents play a crucial role in whether a child is vaccinated . 6 Many factors impact the vaccination rates for both adolescent girls and boys , including parental concerns about vaccination inadvertently condoning sexual activity , reservations about having to discuss sexual activity with the child , the young age of the child and the lack of information about the vaccine . 12 , 22 Lack of awareness is particularly problematic for parents of adolescent boys , as Waller et al . noted that only 23 % of parents were aware of HPV vaccination for boys compared to 55 % for girls . 23 Additionally , vaccine uptake is associated with opinions about vaccines in general as well as perceived benefits of the HPV vaccine . 23 In promoting HPV vaccination to parents of adolescents , the convenience of vaccinating the 11-to 12-year-old age range could be utilized , as the child could receive the HPV vaccine along with the other vaccines , such as the Tdap ( tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis ) and meningococcal vaccines , that are recommended for the age group . 5 Furthermore , in conversations between parents and physicians , the aforementioned importance of vaccinating against HPV early for optimal protection could be utilized , just as in educating providers to be better advocates for the HPV vaccine .
Highlighting Self-Preservation : A Novel Approach to HPV Vaccine Advocacy
In the face of altruism being insufficient , self-preservation could shift the conversation and draw renewed attention . Self-preservation is defined here as vaccination for the purpose of protecting oneself , placing less emphasis on preventing the spread of disease as for other vaccines . It is important to recognize that in this discussion , self-preservation should not hold the same negative connotation as it does in everyday life . While there is an argument for which focusing on oneself goes too far , appealing to that aspect of reasoning could be key in increasing HPV vaccination rates among males , since this method appeals to adolescents ’ desire to be free from infection or cancer as well as parents ’ sense of responsibility to protect their children .
By presenting HPV vaccination as a benefit to the male patient instead of as an altruistic venture for his future sexual partners , public health officials and providers could target both the vaccine decision makers and receivers to encourage uptake of the HPV vaccine in this vulnerable population . Utilizing self-preservation as a tool to increase awareness and acceptance could make the difference between a patient developing an HPV-associated cancer or being protected from one .
Recommendations for Future Research :
It will be important for future studies to investigate how attitudes towards HPV vaccination could be improved if there were earlier education surrounding its role in cancer prevention , as well as earlier education on the lifetime cancer risks due to HPV . Critically , a comparison of perceptions of the HPV vaccination when promoted as an altruistic venture , compared to a method of personal protection , could help change the way providers present the vaccine , specifically to parents of boys . However , future work should not limit itself to investigating parental attitudes , as the perspective of the child could also impact the vaccine decision . For example , a qualitative exploration of perceptions and misconceptions about the HPV vaccine when it is presented as a form of cancer prevention could help educate families about the HPV vaccine . New parents could prove a powerful target population by increasing parental awareness long before the child reaches the target vaccination age , so that the HPV vaccine is not later perceived as low benefit or optional . In addition , studies should consider the impact of culture and investigate the effectiveness of these methods cross-culturally , with potentially different outcomes in collectivistic and individualistic societies or racially diverse communities . With increased knowledge about the HPV vaccine and the most effective interventions , providers and families can act to decrease the rate of HPV-associated oropharyngeal and anal cancers in males .
Conclusions :
While HPV vaccination coverage remains low across the U . S ., with only 54.2 % of teens vaccinated in 2019 9 , adolescent males face unique barriers to vaccination . In order to advocate for HPV vaccination most effectively , health care providers need to be knowledgeable about the burden of disease for both males and females , especially in the face of the prevalence of HPV-associated oropharyngeal and anal cancers in male populations . Providers should consider teaching “ Save yourself from these cancer risks ” as a prime reason to get vaccinated .
Acknowledgements : The authors would like to thank Danielle Smith and Don Nguyen for their support and advice in the creation of this paper .
References
1
CDC . STI Prevalence , Incidence , and Cost Estimates . Centers for Disease Control and Prevention . Published February 18 , 2021 . Accessed July 4 , 2021 . https :// www . cdc . gov / std / statistics / prevalence-incidence-cost-2020 . htm
2
STD Facts - Human papillomavirus ( HPV ). Published January 19 , 2021 . Accessed July 4 , 2021 . https :// www . cdc . gov / std / hpv / stdfact-hpv . htm
3
HPV Vaccine | CDC . Published April 6 , 2021 . Accessed July 18 , 2021 . https :// www . cdc . gov / vaccines / vpd / hpv / hcp / vaccines . html
4
Pinkbook | HPV | Epidemiology of Vaccine Preventable Diseases | CDC . Published November 2 , 2020 . Accessed July 18 , 2021 . https :// www . cdc . gov /
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