Sexual behaviors and HPV vaccine intentions among ethno-racial minority college students

Background: Young adults engage in sexual behaviors that can result in unintended health outcomes, including HPV. HPV-related diseases disproportionately affect ethno-racial women and men. Prophylactic vaccination can prevent HPV-related cancers, yet there are disparities in HPV vaccine uptake. Number of sexual partners has been associated with HPV vaccine intentions, but few have examined this relationship among ethno-racial minorities.

Purpose: Identify sexual behaviors associated with ethno-racial minority student's HPV vaccine intentions.

Methods: Ethno-racial students received study invitations from a southeastern universities' registrar's office and completed web-based surveys Nov-Dec 2011; all items are self-reported. Participants who had not received the HPV vaccine reported if they intended to receive it in the next year.

Results: Among women (n=433), those who intended to vaccinate had significantly fewer (p<0.01) lifetime number of vaginal sex partners (mean=4.6) and lifetime number of oral sex partners (mean=2.7) compared to those not intending to vaccinate (mean=9.1 and 6.0, respectively). Among men (n=230), those who intended to vaccinate had significantly higher (p=0.01) total number of sex partners in the past 12 months (mean=2.4) and fewer (p=0.03) lifetime number of sex partners (mean=9.4) compared to those not intending to vaccinate (mean=1.5 and 11.7, respectively).

Discussion: High prevalence of HPV is a cause of concern for minority men and women. Relationships between sexual behavior and HPV vaccine intention may differ by gender. Determining factors associated with HPV vaccine intentions among those at risk for HPV is important in increasing uptake of the vaccine and decreasing the burden of HPV-related diseases.