Correlates of HPV VACCINE acceptance among COLLEGE STUDENTS

Background Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a very common sexually transmitted infection and leading cause of cervical cancer. Fortunately, HPV vaccines are now readily available in the United States. Yet, 40 to 60% American adolescents still do not get the HPV vaccine.

Objectives: We examined predictors and deterrents of HPV vaccine acceptance among full time students attending two Pennsylvania colleges.

Methods: A web-based survey was sent to a random sample of 500 students attending 2 colleges. Multinomial logistic regression was used to examine social, demographic and behavioral determinants of HPV vaccine acceptance. Reasons for vaccine rejection and acceptance were also examined.

Results: Students who believed they were at risk for contracting HPV were over four times more likely to be willing to receive the vaccine than students who did not believe they were at risk [OR: 4.2; CI: 2.113, 8.359; p=0.000]. Students who had previously been diagnosed with an STI were almost seven times as likely to perceive they were at risk for contracting HPV [OR: 6.86; CI: 1.85, 25.52; p=0.009]. Male students were less willing to receive the preventative HPV immunization than their female counterparts [OR: 0.355; CI: 0.155, 0.812; p=0.007]. Students who were aware of the relationship between HPV and cervical cancer were nearly twice as likely to report willingness to receive the vaccine [OR: 1.93; CI: 0.987, 3.754; p=0.044].

Conclusions: College students remain vulnerable to HV infection. HPV vaccination campaigns should highlight address low risk perceptions among students and reiterate that the HPV vaccine is safe and effective.