264375 HPV Knowledge, Vaccine Intentions, and Barriers in a Racially Diverse Sample of Men

Monday, October 29, 2012 : 11:15 AM - 11:30 AM

Natalie D. Hernandez, MPH , Department of Community and Family Health, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
Ellen Daley, PhD , Center for Transdisciplinary Research on Women's Health, Department of Community and Family Health, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
Stephanie Kolar, MSPH , Department of Epidemiology, University of South Florida College of Public Health, Tampa, FL
Lauren Young, BA , Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
Christopher Wheldon, MSPH, MEd , Department of Community and Family Health, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
Rasheeta Chandler, PhD, MS, ARNP, FNP-BC , College of Nursing, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
Nancy Romero-Daza, PhD , Department of Anthropology, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
Woojin Chong, MD , Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology & Women's Health, Albert Einstein Medical Center/Montefiore Medical Center/Jacobi Medical Center, Bronx, NY
Background: HPV-related diseases disproportionately affect racial/ethnic minority men. Black men have higher rates of HPV- related cancers of the oropharynx/oral cavity, while Hispanic men have higher rates of HPV- related penile cancer. Understanding factors related to HPV vaccine intentions among racial/ethnic minority populations is critical, as this may prevent major disparities.

Purpose: To explore factors associated with HPV vaccine intentions among racial/ethnic minority college students.

Methods: A list of 12 items and an open-ended item assessed reasons for not intending to get the HPV vaccine; 22 true/false items were summed to create a summary knowledge score. Higher scores indicate higher knowledge (theoretical range 0-22).

Results: Mean age was 24.4 (SD=6.9) and mean HPV knowledge was 13.0 (SD=6.7). Only 6% (15) men reported receiving the vaccine; 11% (28) were unsure if they had. Among unvaccinated men (n=182), 79% reported they did not intend to get the vaccine. The most frequently cited reasons were: not knowing about HPV (57%) and the HPV vaccine (67%), side effects (58%), not being at risk for HPV (49%), and cost (49%). The most frequently cited barriers among men intending to get the vaccine (n=48) were cost (71%), side effects (44%), and not being at risk for HPV (23%).

Discussion: Although men play an important role in the transmission and acquisition of HPV, limited information has been directed towards men regarding HPV awareness and the HPV vaccine. Identifying barriers against vaccination among racial/ethnic men is critical in alleviating disparities and informing health promotion and HPV prevention activities.

Learning Areas:
Advocacy for health and health education
Diversity and culture
Public health or related research
Social and behavioral sciences

Learning Objectives:
1.To describe HPV knowledge, attitudes, receipt of HPV vaccine, and barriers to the HPV vaccine among a sample of racial/ethnic minority men. 2.To discuss factors that can inform development of public health initiatives to increase vaccination rates among racial/ethnic minority men.

Keywords: Cancer Prevention, Health Disparities

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am the Co-Investigator and have experience in projects focusing on sexual and reproductive health and health disparities.
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.

Back to: 3156.0: Male sexual health: HPV vaccines for boys