Low Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine Knowledge Among Latino Parents in Utah

Latinas have the highest incidence of cervical cancer, yet Latino parents/guardians’ knowledge about and willingness to have their children receive the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is unknown. Latino parents/guardians (N = 67) of children aged 11–17 were recruited from two community organizations to complete a survey, including HPV vaccine knowledge, child’s uptake, demographic characteristics, and acculturation. Descriptive statistics and correlates of parents’ HPV knowledge and uptake were calculated using Chi square tests and multivariable logistic regression. Receipt of at least one dose of the HPV vaccine was moderate for daughters (49.1 %) and low for sons (23.4 %). Parents/guardians reported limited knowledge as the main barrier to vaccine receipt. Among parents/guardians with vaccinated daughters, 92.6 % did not know the vaccine requires three doses. Adjusting for income, low-acculturated parents were more likely than high-acculturated parents to report inadequate information (OR 8.59, 95 % CI 2.11–34.92). Interventions addressing low knowledge and children’s uptake of the HPV vaccine are needed among Latino parents/guardians.