When parents resits the HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccine, be prepared to listen and educate.

Takeaways

• Patients and parents may have misconceptions about the purpose of the HPV vaccine.
• Nurses have an opportunity to provide education that encourages parents to allow their children to be vaccinated against HPV.
• Nonjudgmental listening and calm explanation of the facts aid in increased acceptance of the HPV vaccine.

By Michelle Speidel, MSN, RN, Ned

Vaccines typically bring to mind the series of injections infants and children receive in their first years of life. However, one vaccine in particular needs more attention—the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, which is recommended for initiation in early adolescence. This two-part vaccine prevents transmission of high-risk strains of HPV that may lead to cancer later in life. For this reason, timing is everything. Ideally, both injections should occur before the individual becomes sexually active. (See HPV vaccine protocol.)

Misinformation about the HPV vaccine and sexual activity may cause some parents to question its necessity. As a healthcare professional, you can help educate parents and your adolescent patients. In this article, you’ll learn more about HPV and how to communicate with parents and patients so they understand the importance of the vaccine.

What is HPV?

HPV, which includes over 150 types of low- and high-risk strains, is the most common sexually transmitted infection affecting men and women of various ages in the United States. It’s transmitted through vaginal, anal, and oral sexual contact, even if no signs or symptoms are present. Many of the low-risk strains resolve on their own without any treatment or even awareness by the affected individual. High-risk strains, however, have been linked to several types of cancer in both men and women, including cervical, oropharyngeal, vaginal, vulvar, penile, and anal.

Communication and education

When recommending the HPV vaccine to parents, be matter-of-fact. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggests saying something like, “Your child needs three vaccines today—Tdap, HPV, and meningococcal,” or “Today, your child should have three vaccines. They’re designed to protect him from meningitis, cancers caused by HPV, and tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis.”

If parents resist, ask about their concerns and listen nonjudgmentally to what they have to say. Be prepared to answer questions and dispel myths that might be associated with the HPV vaccine. Most important, make sure everyone in the room—parents and patient—feel comfortable. Begin by acknowledging the topic’s sensitivity, and assure everyone that you’re not implying that the patient is engaging in sexual activity.

Discuss the evidence that points to the links between high-risk strains of HPV and several types of cancer. Then explain that whether a child is currently sexually active or not, vaccination provides protection from HPV when sexual activity begins, which may prevent cancer later in life. Remind parents of ways in which they’ve kept their children safe throughout their lives; for example, ensuring they’re vaccinated against other diseases, insisting they wear bike helmets, and instructing them not to talk to strangers.

Although adolescents aren’t making the decision about the HPV vaccine, they are making decisions about their own sexual practices. According to White and Warner, 16 is the average age of the first sexual intercourse for both males and females. Haydon and colleagues found that oral-genital contact begins within 1 year of initiating vaginal intercourse.

Conversations about sex can be uncomfortable under any circumstance, but especially so in the presence of one’s parents. If you have some time alone with the adolescent, provide the opportunity to ask questions, and use the time to discuss safe sex practices.

Present all the information about the HPV vaccine calmly and confidently. Be honest if you’ve not heard of a specific concern or if you don’t have an immediate answer to a question. Let parents and patients know that you’ll find the answer and follow up as soon as possible.

HPV vaccine protocol 

Additional resources

The HPV vaccine provides protection against sexually transmitted HPV and some cancers. Through honest and direct communication with parents and adolescents about the disease and the vaccine, you can dispel myths and misconceptions that may prevent some parents from agreeing to vaccination.

The CDC offers a variety of resources to help you discuss HPV with parents. At its website cdc.org, you can download a tip sheet for talking with parents, a parent fact sheet, and videos illustrating conversations between parents and healthcare providers. In addition, you can direct parents to the HPV Vaccine Facts and Fears page on the American Cancer Society website at www.cancer.org.

Michelle Speidel is based in Wickliffe, Ohio.

Selected references

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Human papillomarvirus (HPV): Genital HPV infection—Fact sheet. Updated July 17, 2017. cdc.gov

Chattopadhyay A, Weatherspoon D, Pinto A. Human papillomavirus and oral cancer: A primer for dental public health professionals. Community Dent Health. 2015;32(2):117-28.

Haydon AA, Herring AH, Prinstein MJ, Halpern CT. Beyond age at first sex: Patterns of emerging sexual behavior in adolescence and young adulthood. J Adolesc Health. 2012;50(5):456-63.

Houck CD, Barker D, Rizzo C, Hancock E, Norton A, Brown LK. Sexting and sexual behavior in at-risk adolescents. Pediatrics. 2014; 133(2):E276-82.

White CN, Warner LA. Influence of family and school-level factors on age of sexual initiation. J Adolesc Health. 2015;56(2):231-7.