Information sources and message framing effect on parental willingness for adolescent HPV vaccination in China

Abstract

This study addresses the challenges hindering the widespread adoption of the HPV vaccine, emphasizing that parental willingness to vaccinate is a key factor of adolescent HPV vaccination rates, while parental hesitancy remains a major barrier. Accordingly, the study highlights the importance of exploring the factors influencing parents’ vaccination intentions. Specifically, it examines how information sources, message framing, and their interaction influence Chinese parents’ willingness to vaccinate their children against the HPV. The findings indicate that the type of information source exerts a significant influence on parental willingness, with Health Authorities being perceived as the most trusted source. In contrast, no significant differences in parental willingness were observed across different message framings. A notable interaction effect was identified: when healthcare professionals served as the information source, the gain frame proved more effective in persuading parents to accept HPV vaccination for their children. These findings underscore the crucial role of national health programs in guiding public vaccination decisions. The study further puts forward recommendations: Chinese government agencies adopt proactive strategies to enhance public knowledge about HPV and its vaccination, while healthcare professionals should preferentially employ gain-framed messages when communicating with parents to strengthen message persuasiveness and ultimately increase adolescent HPV vaccination uptake.