Knowledge and attitudes of parents of children/adolescents about human papillomavirus: cross-sectional study

Objective: Analyze the characteristics associated with the parents of children and adolescents who have heard about the human papillomavirus, as well as the knowledge about the infection and the intention to vaccinate their children. Methods: Cross-sectional study with quantitative approach, conducted through a structured interview. We interviewed 376 parents of children and adolescents who were awaiting pediatric care at health services in Tres Lagoas/MS. The collected data (sociodemographic characteristics; reproductive and sexual characteristics; knowledge about human papillomavirus and intention to vaccinate the child) were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Fisher's exact test or the chi-square association test and Student's t-test. Results: Among the respondents, 327 (87.0%) said they had heard about the human papillomavirus. An association was identified between parents who had never heard of the infection and male sex, age between 18 and 25 years and unfinished primary education. Among the parents who had heard about the human papillomavirus, 152 (46.5%) stated that it is a sexually transmitted infection, 245 (74.9%) assured that the transmission occurs through unprotected sexual intercourse, 275 (75.5%) are unaware of its signs and symptoms, 218 (66.7%) mistakenly stated that this infection is curable and 283 (86.5%) know of the existence of the vaccine. Among all respondents, 98.1% would take their child to get vaccinated against the virus. Conclusion: Gaps were observed in the knowledge of the parents of children and adolescents about the human papillomavirus, showing the need for health education and dissemination of actions to cope with the infection in the media and social networks.