Table 3.
Parents' views supporting and opposing school-based provision of HPV vaccines.
| SUPPORTING SCHOOL-LOCATED VACCINATION | Improves access (n = 9) “Some family doesn't have insurance or they are not convenient to hospitals or if they live far in the country—I don't know. Yes. I think it's a very good idea. We always come here because we live in the city and, you know, it's not a problem. It's not everywhere like that” – White mother of 11 year-old, public practice, Not Initiated Group |
| Captive audience (n = 3) “I think you have got a controlled group. They are all there. March ‘em in, march ‘em out. Done!” –White father of 17 year-old, private practice, Complete Group | |
| Positive peer pressure (n = 3) “I think a lot of kids would be willing to do it in school. Because they can spread it to their friends and then their friends would be down for it when it came time.” –Hispanic mother of 16 year-old, public practice, Incomplete Group | |
| OPPOSING SCHOOL-LOCATED VACCINATION | More convenient than physician's office/school nurse is competent to vaccinate (n = 21) “It's more convenient. She's right there. They are right there. I don't have to set up an appointment. I don't have to take her out of school in order to do that it's right there…It's a lot easier to complete” – Black mother of 16 year-old, public practice, Incomplete Group |
| Safety concerns (n = 7) “I still think it should be done at the doctor's office just because you never know if someone might have side effects. I don't think vaccines should be given at the school at all. I think the doctor should give it where they can be watched.” –White mother of 16 year-old, private practice, Complete Group | |
| School is for education, not healthcare (n = 8) “Doctor's office is appropriate. School is for learning other things besides our genital examination…there is a different purpose for those organizations. Doctors have purpose, leave it with doctor” – Other race father of 12 year-old, private practice, Not Initiated Group | |
| HPV vaccination is a private issue that is better discussed with the healthcare provider (n = 4) “I don't think the school has a place in this. I think it's between the parent and the child and their own belief.” –White grandmother of 16 year-old, private practice, Complete Group | |
| HPV vaccination might stigmatize girls/promotes sexual activity (n = 10) “Don't give them at school cause it sends a bad image of some of these kids…” – Black mother of 15 year-old, public practice, Not Initiated Group “It may lead kids to have sex and it may lead them to believe that they are protected and it may influence umm… what sex is at that time.”–Black mother of 15 year-old, public practice, Complete Group | |
| Parent wants to be present/daughter wants parent present (n = 4) “I'm a type of parent that like to be there, see what goes on, be part of her health situation, the problems she may have.” –Hispanic mother of 17-year-old, public practice, Complete Group | |
| Documentation concerns (n = 3) “Why get it at the school if she can get it at the clinic? And even better for me, it stays on file and record and everything, her shots and stuff…that's what doctors are there for.”–Hispanic mother of 17 year-old, public practice, Complete Group |
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Total numbers of quotes do not equal total numbers of respondents as some respondents gave more than one reason, while others answered yes or no to questions but did not explain their reasoning.