Lilijana Besednjak Kocijančič
upokojenka (prim. dr. med.), Nova Gorica

Abstract

Human papillomaviruses (HPV) are a significant cause of genital warts and cervical cancer. In men, most anal and penile cancers, and many throat cancers, are associated with HPV infection. Vaccination of girls and boys is the only way to eliminate HPV infections and related cancers. In Slovenia, optional, free vaccination of girls and boys is available; for girls was introduced in the school year 2009/10, and for boys in the school year 2021/22. We present the survey results, which included parents of 225 boys from the northern Primorska region. They were divided into two groups according to the municipality of residence (Centre, surroundings) and according to the level of education of their parents (groups A, B). The purpose of the study was to assess parents‘ attitudes towards vaccination, whether they consider the opinion of their child to be or not to be vaccinated, the reasons for the omission of vaccination and the impact of those parents who refuse vaccination on other parents. Among respondents, 6.3% were opponents of all vaccinations. The difference between the centre and the sur-rounding area in attendance at school-organized lectures was significant (p <0.01). Fewer parents opted for vaccination in the surrounding group (p <0.01). Parents avoiding vaccination were less likely to seek additional information (p <0.01). Only these parents advised against vaccinating other parents. The answers to the other questions were comparable in all groups.

Key words: HPV, attitudes towards vaccination, acquaintance with vaccination, boys