International Journal of Innovative Research in Health Science

Introduction: Cervical cancer is primarily caused by the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), which can be significantly prevented by administering vaccinations at the appropriate time. Nevertheless, the lack of awareness among mothers continues to be a significant impediment to the acceptance of the HPV vaccine among adolescent females. Objective: To evaluate the knowledge and attitude of mothers of girls aged 9–19 years who reside in a designated community area toward the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine. Methods: A descriptive research design was implemented in conjunction with a quantitative research approach. The survey was conducted among 60 mothers from Maduravoyal, Chennai, who were selected thru non-probability purposive sampling. A structured questionnaire that included demographic variables, a 13-item HPV Knowledge Questionnaire (HPV-KQ), and a 10-item five-point Likert attitude scale was employed to collect data. Data analysis were conducted using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: The results indicated that 1 (1.67%) had adequate knowledge, 2 (3.33%) had moderate knowledge, and 57 (95%) mothers had inadequate knowledge regarding the HPV vaccine. The majority of mothers, 53 (88.33%), exhibited a neutral attitude, while 4 (6.67%) had a favorable attitude and 3 (5%) had an unfavorable attitude. Educational status and previous awareness were significantly associated with knowledge, while attitude was significantly associated with educational status and occupation. Conclusion: The study found that the majority of mothers possessed a predominantly neutral attitude toward HPV vaccination and possessed insufficient knowledge. This underscores the necessity of a comprehensive health education and community awareness program to enhance vaccine acceptance and prevent cervical cancer.