Parental approval and perceptions of the HPV vaccine in indigenous boys from a rural community after their inclusion in the immunization program in Peru

The Peruvian health authorities approved HPV vaccination in boys from 9 to 13 years old in April 2023. The main objective of this research was to determine the percentage of parental approval and perceptions of the HPV vaccine in indigenous boys from a Peruvian rural community. A cross-sectional study was developed with 126 parents from Tumpa community, to whom the staff of the health center of said community requested the respective vaccination authorization between April and December 2023. A questionnaire was administered by the authors of this research between January and July 2024, prior informed consent declaration. It was evidenced that 56.3 % of parents rejected the HPV vaccine. The protection it provides against various types of cancer and the fear of future diseases in their boys due to said vaccine were the main positive and negative perceptions, respectively. With the exception of marital status and work status, a statistically significant association was found between the parental approval of the HPV vaccine and the sociodemographic characteristics and perceptions of parents. It was concluded that the percentage of parental approval of the HPV vaccine in indigenous boys was only 43.7 %, so educational activities that address the identified characteristics and perceptions should be promoted. • The majority of parents of indigenous boys rejected the HPV vaccine. • The main positive perceptions were based on the health benefits of the HPV vaccine. • Fears and insufficient information predominated in the negative perceptions. • Vaccination of indigenous boys requires educational actions with intercultural approach.