Acceptability of the human papilloma virus vaccine among Moroccan parents: a population-based cross-sectional study

Data about the public's awareness and acceptability of the human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccine are lacking in the Eastern Mediterranean Region. This study aimed to explore parental acceptability of HPV vaccination for their daughters in Morocco. A cross-sectional survey was carried out among mothers and fathers of girls aged 12-15 years at 12 middle schools from 6 regions of Morocco. Despite weak knowledge of genital warts and HPV infection, acceptability of the HPV vaccine was 76.8% (95% CI: 73.3-79.9%) among mothers and 68.9% (95% CI: 65.2-72.5%) among fathers. Only 8.8% of mothers and 7.0% of fathers were against administration of the HPV vaccine to their daughters. Predictors of parents' acceptance of the HPV vaccine were living in precarious housing/slums and low household income (for mothers) and living in urban areas (for fathers). These results will be useful for preparing the introduction of the HPV vaccine in health ministry programmes.