Predictors of HPV vaccine acceptability in college men 18-24 years old

Background: Humanpapilloma virus (HPV) is a common sexually transmitted disease/infection (STD/STI), leading to cervical and anal cancers. Annually, 6.2 million people are newly diagnosed with HPV and 20 million currently are diagnosed. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 51.1% of men carry multiple strains of HPV. Recently, HPV vaccine was approved for use in boys and men to help reduce the numbers of HPV cases. The purpose of this study is to use health belief model (HBM) to predict acceptance of HPV vaccine in college men between the ages of 18-24 years. Methods: The study uses a cross sectional design with 200 undergraduate students at a large Midwestern public University. Perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, perceived benefits, perceived barriers, cues to action and self-efficacy from the health belief model are assessed in determining whether men would take the vaccine. A panel of six experts helped in establishing the face and content validity of the instrument. Confirmatory factor analysis was done to establish construct validity. Cronbach's alpha was calculated for internal consistency, test retest reliability coefficients were calculated in a sample of 30 students. Logistic regression modeling was done to ascertain relationships between HBM predictors and acceptability of the vaccine in men. Results: HBM is a robust model to predict HPV vaccine acceptability in college men. Conclusions: Health education interventions can be designed based on HBM to enhance acceptability of HPV vaccine in college men. Implications for designing such interventions are discussed.