First Year College Students: What they know, believe, and think about HPV and their sexual health

Background: Genital human papillomavirus (HPV) prevalence is highest among 15-24 year olds, which includes the majority of college students. The purpose of this study was to explore college students' knowledge, beliefs, and behaviors related to HPV and general sexual health to inform development of campus educational and communication approaches.

Methods: Participants were college students enrolled in a first-year experience course. Participants voluntarily completed a web-based, self-report questionnaire developed by the research team. The questionnaire assessed HPV and sexual health knowledge and sexual history. Response rate was close to 50%.

Results: Participants (n=1511) were 63% female; 77% Caucasian. More than half (62.5%) reported ever having sex while less than half (37.7%) reported using a condom at last sex. Participants' mean score was 7 on a 10-point HPV knowledge scale. Most questions (7) were answered correctly by more than 40% of participants. No significant HPV knowledge differences were found by race. Significant gender differences were found (p=.010). Males (mean=7.15) scored significantly higher than females (mean=6.77) on the HPV knowledge scale. On an 8-point sexual health knowledge scale, all questions were answered correctly by 60% of participants. 38% of female participants received one or all doses of Gardasil®.

Conclusions: Participant's HPV and sexual health knowledge levels were relatively high. However, it remains important to provide sexual health information to students, particularly regarding benefits of consistent condom use and innovations in prevention (Gardasil®). Findings will be used to inform development of campus-based educational and communication approaches to promote safer sexual behavior among college students.