Examining maternal beliefs and human papillomavirus vaccine uptake among male and female children in low-income families

Purpose: This study examines within-family differences in the uptake of the HPV vaccine and HPV-related beliefs by children׳s sex. Methods: From a 2011–2013 survey of mothers of children aged 9–17 years in Texas, mothers with both male and female children (n=350) were selected. Results: Mothers were more likely to report having initiated and completed HPV vaccination for their daughters than sons. Mothers did not express differences by children׳s sex in HPV-related beliefs. Among those who had not completely vaccinated either child, mothers were more likely to report they wanted their daughters compared to sons vaccinated and were more likely to report feeling confident they could get their daughters vaccinated than their sons. Conclusion: In this population, mothers were more likely to report HPV vaccination of and motivation to vaccinate daughters compared to sons, although maternal beliefs about HPV did not differ by children׳s sex. Keywords: HPV vaccine, Vaccine series completion, Human papillomavirus, Vaccination, Mothers, Belief