# Parental willingness to vaccinate male children against human papillomavirus in the Makkah region of Saudi Arabia: a study based on the health belief model

## TL;DR

This study explores why some parents in Saudi Arabia are willing to vaccinate their sons against HPV, finding that perceived risk and benefits strongly influence their decision.

## Contribution

The study applies the Health Belief Model to understand HPV vaccination willingness among parents of male children in Saudi Arabia.

## Key findings

- Approximately 40% of parents showed high willingness to vaccinate their male children against HPV.
- Perceived susceptibility, perceived benefits, and cues to action were significantly associated with vaccination willingness.
- Parents with higher HPV knowledge and perceived severity were more willing to vaccinate.

## Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate parental willingness to vaccinate their male children against human papillomavirus in the Makkah region of Saudi Arabia, and to explore the influence of Health Belief Model constructs on this willingness.

A cross-sectional survey was conducted among parents aged 18 years and older residing in the Makkah region of Saudi Arabia, each with at least one male child. Participants were recruited using non-probability convenience sampling. Data were collected through a self-administered online questionnaire assessing HPV-related knowledge, willingness to vaccinate, and Health Belief Model constructs. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and independent samples t-tests were used to assess group differences. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify factors associated with willingness to vaccinate, adjusting for sociodemographic variables.

A total of 604 parents participated, with approximately 40 percent expressing high willingness to vaccinate their male children. Parents who demonstrated greater willingness had better knowledge about human papillomavirus and its vaccine, perceived higher susceptibility of their children to the virus, viewed the infection as more severe, recognized greater benefits of vaccination, and identified more cues to take action compared to those with lower willingness. Multivariable logistic regression analyses, adjusted for relevant sociodemographic variables, indicated that perceived susceptibility (odds ratio = 2.85; p < 0.001), perceived benefits (odds ratio = 1.88; p = 0.020), and cues to action (odds ratio = 2.92; p < 0.001) were significantly associated with willingness to vaccinate.

The study highlights that parental willingness to vaccinate male children against human papillomavirus in the Makkah region is significantly influenced by perceived susceptibility, perceived benefits of the vaccine, and cues to action. Interventions aimed at increasing awareness of the risks associated with human papillomavirus and the benefits of vaccination, as well as strengthening actionable prompts, may enhance vaccination uptake.