How do parents make sense of HPV vaccination information? A qualitative study comparing the experiences of educated parents from Berlin and Amsterdam
Objective
To understand how educated families in Berlin and Amsterdam make sense of the health information they acquired around the HPV vaccination. Since the health care systems, and health communication strategies in both cities differ, this comparative study examines if and how the information provided and gathered impacts HPV vaccination intentions and decision-making processes. This will be done exploring trust towards different information sources, attitudes regarding individual versus collective responsibility, and the role of social networks. Methods. 22 interviews were conducted with 23 individual parents from both cities.
Results
In Berlin, multiple health authorities provide parents with information on HPV and its vaccination, unlike in Amsterdam where the RIVM sends an HPV information letter to all families when a daughter turns 13. In Amsterdam, although vaccinating is voluntary, acting against what is perceived as most beneficial to the community, is disapproved. In Berlin, freedom of choice is far more respected, but vaccinations were less questioned. In both cities, parents who were unsatisfied with the information provided actively searched for further information. Parents who talked to others did not do so to gather information or get direct advice, but to validate their predisposed attitudes. In general, mothers were the main HPV vaccination decision-makers.
Conclusions
Since mothers were the main decision-makers, they should be the primary target for HPV vaccination information and communication strategies. Having the HPV information provided and recommended by one single source from the national immunisation program would make information clear, concise, and consistent, which coincides with parents being less vaccine hesitant. Since personal research increases doubt, and parents who decline vaccinations usually make more of an informed decision than vaccination acceptors, it is important to provide parents with comprehensive information on HPV and its vaccine.
How do parents make sense of HPV vaccination information? A qualitative study comparing the experiences of educated parents from Berlin and Amsterdam
Author
Katrin Benzler
Year
2020
Supervisor
Stuart Blume
Key Words
HPV vaccine
Vaccination narratives
Vaccination decision-making process
Vaccination information gathering
Cervical cancer
Trust in experts
Individual and collective responsibilities
Active and passive attitudes
Health care system
Thesis
Objective
To understand how educated families in Berlin and Amsterdam make sense of the health information they acquired around the HPV vaccination. Since the health care systems, and health communication strategies in both cities differ, this comparative study examines if and how the information provided and gathered impacts HPV vaccination intentions and decision-making processes. This will be done exploring trust towards different information sources, attitudes regarding individual versus collective responsibility, and the role of social networks. Methods. 22 interviews were conducted with 23 individual parents from both cities.
Results
In Berlin, multiple health authorities provide parents with information on HPV and its vaccination, unlike in Amsterdam where the RIVM sends an HPV information letter to all families when a daughter turns 13. In Amsterdam, although vaccinating is voluntary, acting against what is perceived as most beneficial to the community, is disapproved. In Berlin, freedom of choice is far more respected, but vaccinations were less questioned. In both cities, parents who were unsatisfied with the information provided actively searched for further information. Parents who talked to others did not do so to gather information or get direct advice, but to validate their predisposed attitudes. In general, mothers were the main HPV vaccination decision-makers.
Conclusions
Since mothers were the main decision-makers, they should be the primary target for HPV vaccination information and communication strategies. Having the HPV information provided and recommended by one single source from the national immunisation program would make information clear, concise, and consistent, which coincides with parents being less vaccine hesitant. Since personal research increases doubt, and parents who decline vaccinations usually make more of an informed decision than vaccination acceptors, it is important to provide parents with comprehensive information on HPV and its vaccine.
