243575 Utilizing the Reasoned Action Approach to Identify the Determinants of Getting the HPV Vaccine among College Students

Monday, October 31, 2011

Alireza Geshnizjani, MS, MPH , Applied Health Science, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN
Kristen Jozkowski, MS , Applied Health Science, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN
Susan E. Middlestadt, PhD , Department of Applied Health Science, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN
Background. HPV is a salient public health issue. In the US, approximately 20 million individuals are infected with HPV, with approximately 6.2 million new genital HPV infections occurring each year. The purpose of this study was to identify the factors underlying college students' decision to get the HPV vaccine using the Reasoned Action Approach (RAA).

Methods. A survey was conducted among 879 female college students between the ages of 18 and 23 at a large mid-western university. The survey was developed following an elicitation and consisted of close-ended items assessing constructs from the RAA for the behavior of “going to the doctor to ask for the HPV vaccine.” Factor analysis was utilized to develop subscales for intention (3-items), attitude (3-items), subjective norms (4 items), and self-efficacy (5 items)

Results. The multiple R predicting intention from attitude toward the action, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control was 0.70 (p<.001). Standardized regression weights for attitude (0.57, p<.001) and for subjective norm (0.40, p<.001) were statistically significant. The weight for the attitude component was significantly larger than the weight for the subjective norm (p<.01). Self-efficacy was not associated with intention. In addition, family history of cancer and previous STI infection did not significantly predict intention.

Implications. These results suggest two approaches to improve the rate of HPV vaccination: (1) Programs could address the attitude component by increasing perceived advantages and reducing perceived disadvantages of participating; (2) Programs could address the normative component by pointing out approving referents such as mothers and healthcare providers.

Learning Areas:
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Program planning
Public health or related education
Public health or related research
Social and behavioral sciences

Learning Objectives:
1. Examine the relevance of Reason Action Approach for understanding the behavior of HPV vaccination 2. Identify the role of attitudinal, normative, and control components in predicting intention to get the HPV vaccine 3. Describe implications for approaches to increase the rate of HPV vaccination among college age students

Keywords: Sexuality, Infectious Diseases

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am a PhD student and researcher in the field of public health at the Applied Health Science Department at Indiana University Bloomington.
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.

See more of: Vaccination & Infectious Disease Epidemiology
See more of: HIV/AIDS