224317 Gardasil for Guys: Correlates of Intent to be Vaccinated

Monday, November 8, 2010 : 10:35 AM - 10:55 AM

Sinead Younge, PhD , Department of Psychology, Morehouse College, Decatur, GA
Richard A. Crosby, PhD , Department of Health Behavior, University of Kentucky College of Public Health, Lexington, KY
Ralph DiClemente, PhD , Rollins School of Public Health and Center for AIDS Research, Emory University, Atlanta, GA
Laura F. Salazar, PhD , Rollins School of Public Health and Center for AIDS Research, Emory Univeristy, Atlanta, GA
Rachel Nash, MPH , Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA
Objective: To identify correlates of HPV vaccine acceptance among a convenience sample of young men. Methods: Young men (18-24 years of age) were recruited from a university and college campus in the South (N=150). Men completed an audio computer-assisted self assessment pertaining to their beliefs, attitudes, and intent to receive the HPV vaccine, newly approved for use in young males. Bivariate associations between various measures and men's intent to be vaccinated in the next 12 months were assessed by t-tests. Measures achieving bivariate significance were entered into a hierarchical multiple linear regression model. Results: In the age-adjusted model intent was associated with ever having oral-genital sex (β = .32, t = 4.20, P = .0001). Those reporting oral-genital sex were more likely to have positive intent to receive the vaccine in the next 12 months. Intent was associated with the 3-item scale measure of perceived susceptibility to HPV (β = .19, t = 2.53, P = .013). Those classified as having relatively higher perceived susceptibility were more likely to have positive intent. Finally, intent was associated with agreement/disagreement to the statement that “the HPV vaccine is so new that I should wait awhile before deciding about getting vaccinated” (β = .19, t = 2.49, P = .014). Those not agreeing were more likely to have positive intent to receive Gardasil in the next 12 months. Conclusion: Young men who have had oral-genital sex and those with greater perceptions of susceptibility to HPV may have greater intent to soon receive the HPV vaccine.

Learning Areas:
Public health or related research

Learning Objectives:
To identify correlates of HPV vaccine acceptance among a convenience sample of young men.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am a co-investigator of the research study.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.