Attitudes towards HPV immunization of Italian mothers of adolescent girls and potential role of health professionals in the immunization program

We assessed the knowledge of Italian mothers of adolescent girls about HPV and HPV vaccination, their willingness to immunize their daughters, and their perception of the role of different medical specialists in the HPV immunization strategy by a telephone interview. Fifty-four percent of the 807 interviewed mothers reported to have ever heard about HPV, and 84% of them were willing to immunize their daughters. Pediatricians most frequently provided information on HPV vaccine (31%), and were perceived as the preferred immunization providers (77%). Acceptance of HPV immunization was high and was not associated with knowledge of HPV.