Table 2.
Reasons given by parents who accepted vaccination (n = 708)
| Benefits (n = 503) | Sample Quotes: |
|---|---|
| General health protection (n = 287) | I want to protect my daughter from anything that may cause her harm. Since I cannot be with her 24/7, at least a vaccine can immunize a potential risk. |
| Cancer prevention (n = 104) | To give her some protection against one of the many forms of cancer existing in our society today. |
| General Positive attitude toward vaccinations (n= 62) | For my husband and I, vaccines are there to improve the quality of life for everyone. |
| HPV prevention (n = 33) | I decided to get [my daughter] vaccinated to protect her against HPV. Why risk her contracting this virus? |
| Benefits of vaccination vs. risks of HPV (n =17) | I decided to get [her] vaccinated because the promises of benefits and protection exceed the potential dangers to me. |
| Cues to Actions (n = 214) | |
| Trusting school vaccine program/public health organization (n = 71) | Because I trust in the health system of our country/ province. I believe that their primary objective is the health of people and I do not believe they would risk offering us vaccination programs that haven't been fully studied and proven. |
| Physician recommendation (n = 60) | My gynecologist and my daughter's pediatrician strongly recommended to have my daughter vaccinated. |
| Personal experience with HPV/abnormal pap tests (n = 29) | Because I was diagnosed with HPV. I want her to not have the chances to be infected. |
| Influence of the media (n = 21) | Television publicities rapidly convinced me that I have to get my daughter vaccinated. |
| Relative's experience with HPV and/or cancer | My mother and mother-in-law [both] had uterine cancer and underwent removal of the uterus. |
| Social norms (n =10) | If this is to prevent infection, why not? And when all other children are getting vaccinated, why not my daughter? |
| Perceived Susceptibility (n = 15) | … I cannot guarantee that my daughter will engage in safe sexual relationships. So, this vaccine will at least protect her against HPV and eventually cervical cancer. |
| Anticipated Regret (n = 17) | I had my daughter vaccinated because if she ever got cervical cancer from not getting the vaccine, I would never forgive myself, if I could of prevented it. |
Note. 708 parents gave at least one reason for accepting the vaccine for their daughters. In total 808 reasons were coded, as some parents gave more than one reason in their answer.