Peer-reviewed article

A nationwide survey on knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding human papillomavirus (HPV), HPV-related disease, and HPV vaccine among adolescents and their parents in China.

Honghao Wang, Shangying Hu, Meiwen Yuan, Xuelian Zhao, Yue Yan et al. · 15 Jun 2026

Abstract

Although human papillomavirus (HPV) infection constitutes a significant public health challenge, the HPV vaccination coverage remains suboptimal in China. Recent roll-out of new policies calls for an updated evaluation on the knowledge, attitude, and practice on HPV and HPV vaccination among adolescents and their parents. This nationwide cross-sectional survey targeted adolescents aged 9-17 y paired with one of their parents. Sociodemographic factors and the awareness, knowledge, attitude, practice and willingness toward HPV and HPV vaccination were collected for adolescents and their parents. Univariable and multivariable regression analyses were conducted to evaluate the factors associated with the knowledge, attitude, and practice of adolescents and their parents. A total of 1,000 pairs of adolescents and their parents were included. Awareness of HPV and HPV vaccine was 34.2% and 43.9% among adolescents, and 61.0% and 68.0% among parents. Although 77.0% of the adolescents and 78.2% of the parents believed in the benefits of HPV vaccine on adolescents, the vaccination rate remained low among adolescents (7.4%). The willingness toward HPV vaccination was significantly higher among the unvaccinated adolescents whose parents acknowledged the risk of HPV infection on themselves or communicated with their children about reproductive health. The findings underscored critical gaps in knowledge, attitude, and practice toward HPV and HPV vaccination among Chinese adolescents and their parents. To address these challenges, family-oriented, school-based and physician-led educational initiatives, enhancement of the accessibility and convenience of HPV vaccination, expansion of HPV vaccine indications, and evidence to support its inclusion in the National Immunization Program are needed.