Gardasil for Guys: Correlates of Intent to be Vaccinated

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.