Are Men Being Left Behind (Or Catching Up)? Differences in HPV Awareness, Knowledge, and Attitudes Between Diverse College Men and Women

Abstract

The aim of this cross-sectional survey was to assess awareness, knowledge, and attitudes in regard to human papillomavirus (HPV) and vaccination against HPV among college students. From 2015 to 2017, 386 diverse undergraduates were recruited from a south Florida university. A survey, part of which was researcher developed, of HPV awareness, knowledge, and attitudes was conducted. The majority (84%) of participants had heard of HPV, and 70% had favorable attitudes toward vaccination. Only 28% of men and 55% of women had received ≥1 dose vaccine ( p = .01), and 4% of all participants reported that they had received 3 doses. Those with ≥1 dose ( n = 123, 40.1%) were more knowledgeable about HPV ( p = .01). High knowledge scores were recorded for 30% of respondents and were strongly associated with HPV vaccine initiation among both men and women ( p < .001) and perceived knowledge among women only ( p < .001). Negative attitudes toward HPV vaccine acceptance were associated with low knowledge scores ( p = .01) and undervaccination ( p < .001). Vaccinated women ( n = 95) were over seven times more likely than were unvaccinated women ( n = 115) to report positive vaccine attitudes (relative risk = 7.1). HPV vaccination status was not associated with vaccine attitudes among men. HPV knowledge and vaccine uptake remain problematic among college students, and deficits in both are associated with negative HPV vaccine attitudes. Although the knowledge gap is narrowing, HPV vaccination efforts should target young men, as HPV-related cancer morbidity continues to rise in men.

Barriers towards HPV Vaccinations for Boys and Young Men: A Narrative Review

“…Men are much less HPV vaccinated than women [ 45 , 46 , 47 ]. Although knowledge about HPV is low among young people, in general [ 48 , 49 , 50 ] studies indicate that men have even lower knowledge than women [ 51 , 52 ].…”

­­Human papillomavirus and Chinese international students in the United States: attitudes, knowledge, vaccination trends, healthcare behaviors, and sexual activity

“…For male participants in particular, reported HPV vaccination was over three times higher for those who had discussions with a primary healthcare provider regarding HPV, further supporting the importance of strong healthcare provider recommendations for male CIS. [22][23][24][25] Among males, self-reported sexual activity significantly correlated with HPV vaccination status. It is possible that males who are sexually active perceive their risk of contracting HPV as higher, and thus seek out vaccination; according to Liu et al, one common reason for not being vaccinated is low perceived risk due to sexual inactivity.…”

Computer-Animated Relational Agents in Human Papillomavirus Vaccination Education

“…Theory of Planned Behavior domains of attitude toward HPV vaccination, 9,10 subjective norms, 11,12 perceived behavior control, 12 and intention to discuss HPV vaccination 13,14 were assessed in the preintervention and postintervention and follow-up surveys (Table 1). For the Theory of Planned Behavior domain of behavioral control, patients in the relational agent group were more confident that they would be able to talk to their family members about HPV vaccination in the next 6 weeks (r=0.60).…”