Human Papillomavirus Vaccine Knowledge, Beliefs, Attitudes, and Barriers: An Educational Intervention for Male College Students to Increase Knowledge, Vaccine Intent, and Vaccine Uptake
View/ Open
Abstract
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States. When the virus does not spontaneously resolve, HPV infections can develop into papillomas or cancers (CDC, 2020d). While interventions promoting the HPV vaccine as a means to prevent cervical cancer have been successful, HPV-related cancer in men has been commonly overlooked. Current data shows low rates of HPV immunization for young adult males in North Dakota (NDIIS, 2020).
To address this low uptake, an intervention was designed to address the following clinical question: In college males ages 18 to 26, will the provision of education regarding HPV and the HPV vaccine increase the knowledge, vaccine intent, and initiation of the HPV vaccine series within two months at NDSU? The purpose of this educational intervention project is to (a) increase knowledge regarding HPV and the HPV vaccine and (b) promote increased HPV vaccination uptake among college males ages 18 to 26 at NDSU.
This intervention occurred in the online space, using VoiceThread as the educational module and Qualtrics for pre- and post-intervention surveys. Undergraduate students enrolled in a human biology course were invited to complete the surveys and module. The target sample analyzed in this project was college males ages 18 to 26. The surveys were designed to assess knowledge, beliefs, attitudes, and barriers to HPV and HPV vaccination.
Results of this study indicated that 100% of previously unvaccinated males intended to receive the HPV vaccine following the education. An increase in knowledge and awareness of HPV and the belief that the HPV vaccine is safe and effective was also observed. Two months following the intervention, one participant indicated he had obtained the vaccine while three participants indicated they plan to receive it in the future.