Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #112719

Tina Simpson, MD, MPH¹, Crystal B. Spivey, DrPH¹, M. Kim Oh, MD², Tina G. Vazin, PhD³, Bernadette Chapple, PhD⁴, and Karyn Gunn, PhD³. (1) Department of Pediatrics/Adolescent Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 201 Midtown Center, 1616 6th Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35233-1711, 205.934.8770, tsimpson@peds.uab.edu, (2) Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, suite 201-MTC 1616 6th Ave South, Birmingham, AL 35233, (3) Foundations and Psychology, Alabama State University, 915 South Jackson Street, Montgomery, AL 36101, (4) Center for Leadership and Public Policy, Alabama State University, 600 South Court Street, Montgomery, AL 36104

Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common viral sexually transmitted infection (STI) and the object of continued investigative efforts, to include preventative and therapeutic vaccines. Objective: To determine college students' knowledge about HPV and willingness to participate in STI-related research including vaccine studies. Methods: A cross-sectional survey of students at a Historically Black University was conducted Fall 2004. Results: Of the 345 participants, 58% were females; 96% were African American. 90% of the participants were matriculating students. Mean age was 18.5 years (range 17-27). 8 questions were used to assess HPV knowledge covering consequences of infection, treatment, and testing. A score of 8 indicated answering all questions correctly. The mean score was 1.5 (range 0-7). Only 36% knew that HPV causes genital warts. Overall less than 20% (20% of females, 14% of males) knew that HPV is associated with female genital cancer. If compensated for time and effort, only 27% would definitely be interested in volunteering for STI prevention research. Conclusions: Significant knowledge deficits exist for HPV. Along with ongoing research efforts into preventative and therapeutic vaccines, health education programs are needed to increase community-level HPV knowledge.

Learning Objectives:

• By the end of this presentation, the participants will be able to discuss college students’ a) knowledge of human papillomavirus (HPV) and b) willingness to participate in STI research.

Keywords: Health Education,

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.

Recorded presentation