Human Papillomavirus Awareness and Vaccine Acceptability Among College Males Open Access

Abstract

Objective: As the most common sexually transmitted infection, the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) poses a severe threat and burden on adolescent and adult populations. The purpose of this study is to assess the current levels of HPV-related knowledge and awareness as well as vaccine uptake among male college students.

Participants: The inclusion criterion for this study was undergraduate male students attending Emory University. Students were recruited by distributing the survey in classes, residence halls, and extracurricular club meetings. This study began in August 2010 and was completed in May 2012.

Methods: This study received IRB approval. Male students completed an anonymous survey, which was developed using the Health Belief Model. The survey asked about HPV awareness, susceptibility to genital warts, intent to receive the HPV vaccine, etc.

Results: An overwhelming majority believed that HPV-related diseases are severe. 95.8% of the participants agreed that having HPV-induced genital warts would be upsetting and 91.5% agreed it would be disruptive to their romantic relationships. Although HPV is the most prevalent sexually transmitted infection among the college population, only 1.4% of the respondents believed it to be likely that they will be infected by HPV in the future. Additionally, 63.4% of the participants believed that the HPV vaccine was only for women, and only 2.8% had already received the vaccine. Sources of HPV information included Student Health Services, the internet, and healthcare providers. Participants were more likely to receive the vaccine if their university (93%) encouraged it and if ads for the HPV vaccine were directed toward males (87.3%).

Conclusions: Low levels of HPV susceptibility and HPV vaccine uptake were reported. Student Health Services can help increase HPV-awareness among college males through education and outreach as well as by promoting discussion between students and their healthcare providers. Increasing HPV awareness among males will be a step in the direction toward reducing the widespread prevalence of HPV.

Table of Contents

Introduction...Page 1
Methods...Page 5
Results...Page 6

Table 1: Participant Demographics and HPV Awareness...Page 7
Table 2: HPV-related Knowledge...Page 8
Table 3: Perceived Susceptibility...Page 8
Table 4: Perceived Severity of Genital Warts...Page 10
Table 5: Perceived Benefits of the HPV Vaccine...Page 11
Table 6: Perceived Barriers and Costs...Page 12
Table 7: Resources for Health-related Information...Page 13

Conclusion...Page 13
References...Page 19

About this Honors Thesis

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School	Emory College
Department	Biology
Degree	BS
Submission	Honors Thesis
Language	English
Research Field	Health Sciences, Public Health Education, Health Biology, Virology
Keyword	Human Papillomavirus Biology Public Health Health Belief Model
Committee Chair / Thesis Advisor	Escoffery, Ngoc-Cam, Emory University
Committee Members	Stokes, Darrell R, Emory University Orloff, Gregg, Emory University

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