A Cross-Sectional Study to Understand HPV Vaccine Hesitancy and Influencing Factors in Italian Adults

The Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is a cornerstone of cancer prevention, yet uptake remains suboptimal in many countries. This study analyzed the factors influencing HPV vaccine acceptance among adults, including a focused analysis of parental behaviors.

Data were collected through a web-based survey using a questionnaire. We performed univariable analysis and three logistic regression analyses to investigate the determinants in the overall sample and among parents.

A total of 1821 participants were surveyed. HPV vaccination uptake was low, with only 6.9% of the total sample and 7.6% of young adults (18-35 yo) vaccinated. Among parents, 47.9% had vaccinated children aged 12-17, and 21.1% those aged 18 and over. Higher health literacy was associated with positive attitudes (OR 2.03, 95% CI 1.48-2.79), while receiving information from pediatricians or gynecologists was linked to children's vaccination status (OR 7.30, 95% CI 2.29-23.31) and parents' intentions for future HPV vaccination (OR 5.86, 95% CI 1.85-18.50). Adequate knowledge emerged as a strong predictor of positive attitudes (OR 6.50, 95% CI 4.91-8.61) and parents' intentions (OR 4.89, 95% CI 2.21-10.84). Vaccination status was a key factor influencing parental decisions and overall vaccine acceptance.

These findings highlight the critical role of health professionals and the need for targeted communication to address persistent knowledge gaps and promote HPV vaccine confidence within general population.