HPV vaccination and cervical screening: the knowledge and attitudes of mothers of adolescent girls

Abstract

Objective: Mothers play a significant role in decision making about human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination for their daughters and about cervical screening attendance for themselves. This study had three objectives, to explore: 1) mothers’ knowledge and attitudes about HPV and HPV vaccination, 2) their knowledge and attitudes about cervical cancer and screening, and 3) whether their daughter’s HPV vaccination invitation was an opportunity to nudge mothers to attend screening.

Design: 138 women from North Staffordshire completed a cross-sectional survey and 15 took part in follow-up focus groups.

Results: Despite high self-reported engagement with both the cervical screening and HPV vaccination programmes, relatively low levels of knowledge and some uncertainty were evident. There was mixed opinion about the potential of using the vaccination invite as an opportunity to nudge mothers to attend cervical screening.

Conclusion: Even amongst women who do engage positively with the programmes, knowledge is not as complete and certain as it could be. Further research is needed with women who are less likely to accept the vaccination for their daughters. Women need to be better informed, which may go some way to reversing the decline in screening and maintaining high levels of vaccination.