Gender differences in HPV knowledge, beliefs, and vaccine acceptance among southern black college students

Background: Genital human papillomavirus (HPV) is common among both men and women. Men have high rates of HPV infection and can develop HPV-associated outcomes. However, HPV research has primarily focused on cervical cancer as an outcome among women. Our understanding on the male perspective of HPV and HPV vaccines is limited. Methods: A non-probability sample of 18-26 year old male and female college students attending three Historically Black College/Universities (HBCUs) were asked to complete a self-administered survey to assess their knowledge, beliefs, and perceptions of HPV and HPV vaccines. Chi-square tests and t-tests were used to assess gender differences. Results: In total, 575 students (35.1% male and 63.1% female) completed the survey. The mean age was 20.24 years. About 77% reported interest in getting the HPV vaccine. Males were less likely to have heard of the HPV vaccine (p<.001), report interest in vaccination (p=.001), to have heard of HPV (p<.001), less likely to perceive HPV health outcomes as severe (p=.009), that there was a benefit to vaccinate (p=.001), more likely to perceive barriers to vaccination (p=.011), and scored lower on HPV (p<.001) and Pap smear (p<.001) knowledge measures. Conclusions: The lower level of awareness, knowledge, and HPV vaccine interest demonstrated in this study highlights the need to equally include men in HPV research. Findings can be used to develop health education and communication programs that better meet the needs of two largely underrepresented groups in the HPV literature, men and African American college populations.