To gain insight into parents’ decision-making process, and their reasons for participation in the human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccination programme in the Twente region, the Netherlands.

Cross-sectional study by means of a questionnaire.

After the first vaccination round, a questionnaire was sent to the parents of 800 13-year-old girls, born in the year 1996 and living in the Twente region. Data were collected on the socio-demographic characteristics of the parents, their daughters’ participation in the HPV vaccination programme (in which 13-15-year-olds were offered the vaccine previously offered only to 12-year-olds), and four determinants derived from the Health Belief Model (HBM): perceived susceptibility, severity, benefits and barriers.

371 questionnaires were returned (response rate 46%). 39% of the parents had had their daughters vaccinated. The main reasons for parents to decide not to participate in the vaccination programme were perceived dangers of the vaccine, the risk of minor or major side-effects, and perceived limited efficacy of the vaccine. Religious beliefs also played a limited, but statistically significant, role. Many parents found it difficult to decide whether to let their daughter participate in the vaccination programme.

Follow-up research into participation is recommended, especially once health-education has been improved and media attention is reduced. Future communication about HPV vaccination should take into account the role played by parents in deciding whether or not to participate in the vaccination programme and should concentrate on their concerns about vaccine side-effects and vaccine safety and the perceived efficacy of the new vaccine.

Conflict of interest: none declared. Financial support: none declared.