Educational intervention for increasing knowledge of human papillomavirus and vaccination amongst parents of first year high school students in Croatia

Background In Croatia, the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine became available through a publicly funded national programme during the 2015/2016 school year among boys and girls in the first year high school. Improved parental awareness of HPV and vaccination could help increase the uptake of the vaccination. The primary aim of this study is to establish the importance of educating parents for a greater response to the voluntary vaccination. Methods Parents of students in the first year of high school evaluated the educational lessons in the spring of 2016 in 11 counties coordinated by the Croatian Institute of Public Health: total of 36 doctors from 11 counties. Statistical significance was tested using chi-squared test. Results In total, 3350 evaluations were submitted (82.7%). Parents with a positive attitude towards vaccination following the education more often stated the lesson contributed to this attitude than parents with a negative attitude (P < 0.001). Results show that counties with highest attendance had highest rates of vaccination (Sisacko-moslovacka 1.74 highest and Dubrovacko-Neretvanska 0.03 lowest). Conclusion Our study shows that parents have the impression an educational lesson can contribute to the development of their positive attitude towards vaccination. Further research should be aimed at disparities and how to target these with appropriate interventions.