HPV vaccine awareness among undergraduate females at a rural southeastern university

Background: In 2006 the FDA approved a vaccine called Gardisil which protects females against 4 strains of HPV that cause 70% of all cervical cancer cases and 90% of all genital wart cases. This study examines college female awareness of Gardisil and their attitudes towards receiving this vaccine to prevent cervical cancer.

Methods: The survey was distributed to approximately 300 female students in undergraduate general health courses. The survey consisted of twenty questions, including demographics, health care services, and general awareness through healthcare and the media regarding Gardisil. Participants were also surveyed regarding their attitudes about both the vaccine and HPV in general, using a Likert scale.

Results: A total of 270 completed surveys were returned and the data was coded and loaded into SPSS software. When students were asked if they believed they were at risk of developing HPV, 27% did not think they were at risk, while 87% of participants believed that there should be more awareness of the Gardisil vaccine.

Conclusion: These results indicated that students are underestimating their potential to be exposed to HPV. The survey showed that female students were for the most part aware of the vaccine and informed by both the media and there health care providers. Further examination of vaccine awareness among females in the United States is needed.