Human papillomavirus (HPV) awareness, knowledge, and vaccine uptake among Cape Verdean immigrant parents in the United States: A community-based, cross-sectional study

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a common infection linked to several cancers, yet awareness and vaccination rates remain low among many immigrant populations. Cape Verdeans in the United States (U.S.) are an understudied group with limited data on HPV-related knowledge and vaccine uptake. This community-based, cross-sectional study assessed HPV and HPV vaccine awareness, knowledge, healthcare provider communication, and vaccination behaviors among Cape Verdean immigrant parents. Statistical analyses compared mothers and fathers in terms of demographic, cultural and psychosocial factors and examined the association between parental knowledge and child vaccination status. Among the 166 participants, overall awareness of the HPV vaccine was low (approximately 40%). Most parents identified healthcare providers as their primary source of information, with limited exposure to public health campaigns. Mothers showed significantly higher knowledge of the HPV vaccine than fathers (<i>p</i> = .003) and were more likely to report that their children had initiated the HPV vaccine series (<i>p</i> = .02). Fathers more often held misconceptions about HPV transmission and symptoms and were less likely to report receiving provider recommendations for vaccination. Parental HPV vaccine knowledge was strongly associated with child vaccination (<i>p</i> < .001). Multivariable regression controlling for demographic and cultural factors further confirmed that mothers had higher HPV and vaccine knowledge and greater likelihood of child vaccine initiation compared to fathers, with child's age and length of U.S. residency also significantly associated with uptake. These findings reveal significant knowledge and communication gaps, particularly among fathers. They highlight the need for culturally tailored education and provider engagement involving both parents to improve vaccine uptake in this underserved population.