Factors Associated With the Role of Parents for the Prevention of Human Papillomavirus in Mexican Adolescents

Background: The parental role is key for the prevention of human papillomavirus (HPV) in adolescents; however, there are factors that can facilitate or inhibit its performance. For this reason, the purpose of this study was to determine the factors that influence the role of parents for prevention of HPV in their adolescent children. Method: A descriptive correlational study design included a convenience sample of 582 Mexican parents, whose son or daughter, 13 to 15 years of age, was in either the second or third year of high school. Data analyses included multiple linear regression. Results: Factors related to the role of parents included knowledge about HPV (r _s = 0.180, p <.01), perceived risk to contract HPV (r _s = 0.148, p <.01), self-efficacy for sexual communication with adolescents (r _s = 0.507, p <.01), and attitude toward prevention of HPV (r _s = 0.272, p <.01). Self-efficacy for sexual communication with adolescents and attitude toward prevention of HPV positively influenced the parental role, explaining 28.8% of the variance, F(4, 577) = 59.80, p <.001. Conclusions: Parents with positive attitudes regarding prevention of HPV and who perceive self-efficacy in communicating sexuality issues with their adolescent children, develop a preventative role.