Symbolic illustration representing cultural beliefs and HPV vaccine decisions in the Korean American community.

HPV Vaccine Hesitancy: Why Some Korean American Parents Are Saying No

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Lena Voss in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 4 min read.

"Discover the cultural factors and knowledge gaps driving HPV vaccine decisions in the Korean American community and what it means for public health."


Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States, impacting nearly 80 million people. While HPV vaccines are a proven method to prevent cervical cancer and genital warts, vaccination rates among American adolescents, particularly within certain ethnic groups, remain a concern. Understanding the reasons behind this hesitancy is crucial for improving public health outcomes.

One group that faces unique challenges in HPV prevention is the Korean American (KA) community. Despite the availability of safe and effective vaccines since 2006, and KA women experiencing cervical cancer rates more than double that of Caucasian women, HPV vaccination rates remain suboptimal. This disparity underscores the need to investigate the specific concerns and barriers affecting KA parents when it comes to HPV vaccination for their children.

A recent study published in Applied Nursing Research sheds light on this issue by examining HPV knowledge and perceptions among KA parents. Researchers delved into the factors influencing parental decisions, aiming to identify knowledge gaps and cultural considerations that contribute to vaccine hesitancy. The findings offer valuable insights for healthcare providers and public health officials seeking to improve HPV prevention efforts within the KA community.

Unveiling the Knowledge Gap: What Do Korean American Parents Know About HPV?

Symbolic illustration representing cultural beliefs and HPV vaccine decisions in the Korean American community.

The study, employing a descriptive comparative design, surveyed 74 KA parents regarding their understanding of HPV and their perceptions of the HPV vaccine. The results revealed a significant lack of knowledge about HPV in general. Participants scored an average of just 3.14 out of 10 on a general knowledge assessment, highlighting a critical need for improved education efforts.

Interestingly, the study found no significant difference in HPV knowledge scores between parents who had vaccinated their children and those who hadn't. This suggests that even among parents who choose vaccination, understanding of the virus itself remains limited. This finding underscores the importance of providing comprehensive HPV education to all parents, regardless of their vaccination decisions.

  • Misconceptions Prevail: Many participants incorrectly believed that HPV causes genital herpes or ovarian cancer, highlighting common misunderstandings about the virus.
  • Limited Awareness: A significant portion of participants were unaware that most HPV infections clear up on their own or that genital warts are caused by HPV.
  • Information Sources: While healthcare providers were the primary source of HPV information for most parents (66.2%), a substantial number also relied on websites (44.6%) and, to a lesser extent, drug companies (36.5%) and their child's school (35.1%).
These findings emphasize the need for healthcare providers to proactively address common HPV misconceptions and provide accurate, accessible information to KA parents. Utilizing multiple channels, including culturally relevant websites and community-based initiatives, can further enhance education efforts.

Moving Forward: Culturally Sensitive HPV Education for Korean American Families

The study's findings point to a clear need for culturally sensitive HPV education programs tailored to the specific concerns and knowledge gaps within the KA community. These programs should address common misconceptions about HPV, emphasize the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine, and facilitate open communication between parents and healthcare providers. By addressing these challenges, public health officials can work towards improving HPV vaccination rates and reducing cervical cancer disparities among KA women.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1016/j.apnr.2018.09.008, Alternate LINK

Title: Parental Hpv Knowledge And Perceptions Of Hpv Vaccines Among Korean American Parents

Subject: General Nursing

Journal: Applied Nursing Research

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Authors: Young-Me Lee, Laren Riesche, Hyeonkyeong Lee, Kaka Shim

Published: 2018-12-01

Everything You Need To Know

1

What is HPV and why is it a concern for Korean American parents?

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States, impacting nearly 80 million people. For Korean American (KA) parents, it's particularly concerning because KA women experience cervical cancer rates more than double that of Caucasian women. The HPV vaccine is a proven method to prevent cervical cancer and genital warts, making vaccination a key public health goal within the KA community. The goal is to reduce cervical cancer disparities among KA women.

2

What were the key findings of the study regarding Korean American parents' knowledge of HPV?

The study revealed a significant knowledge gap. Korean American parents scored low on a general knowledge assessment of HPV. Many participants held misconceptions, believing HPV causes conditions like genital herpes or ovarian cancer. There was limited awareness that most HPV infections clear up on their own, or that genital warts are caused by HPV. This lack of understanding underscores the need for improved HPV education efforts.

3

Where do Korean American parents typically get their information about HPV?

The primary source of information for most Korean American parents was healthcare providers (66.2%). However, a substantial number also relied on websites (44.6%), drug companies (36.5%), and their child's school (35.1%). This highlights the importance of ensuring information from all these sources is accurate and culturally sensitive. Healthcare providers play a crucial role and should proactively address common HPV misconceptions.

4

Does vaccinating their children mean that Korean American parents understand HPV?

No, the study found no significant difference in HPV knowledge scores between parents who had vaccinated their children and those who hadn't. This suggests that even among parents who choose vaccination, the understanding of the virus itself remains limited. It emphasizes the need for comprehensive HPV education for all parents, regardless of their vaccination decisions. Improved understanding can empower parents to make informed decisions.

5

What kind of HPV education is recommended for Korean American families, and why?

Culturally sensitive HPV education programs are recommended, tailored to the specific concerns and knowledge gaps within the Korean American community. These programs should address common misconceptions about HPV, emphasize the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine, and facilitate open communication between parents and healthcare providers. This approach is critical to improve HPV vaccination rates and reduce cervical cancer disparities among KA women, which is a major health concern. Healthcare providers and public health officials should collaborate to implement these programs.

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