Human Papillomavirus Vaccine Knowledge, Beliefs, Attitudes, and Barriers: A College-Based Intervention for Students to Increase Knowledge, Vaccine Intent, and Vaccine Uptake

Abstract

The purpose of this disquisition was to determine knowledge, beliefs, attitudes, and barriers of college-age students at North Dakota State University (NDSU) related to the human papillomavirus (HPV) and the vaccine used to prevent certain strains of the virus. HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States, with the highest rates of infection occurring in the late teens to early twenties (CDC, 2015b). Therefore, there is a need to educate college age students about HPV and how to protect themselves from acquiring HPV. An intervention was designed to address the following clinical question: Will the provision of HPV education to college students, ages 18-26, increase HPV knowledge, vaccine intent, and the number of student HPV vaccinations within six months at NDSU? Project intervention consisted of two components: reaching out to NDSU students at the annual Sex Positivity Expo and members of two NDSU organizations, the Women's Activist Organization, and Violence Prevention Educators. Students were first instructed to take a pre-test to establish baseline HPV knowledge, beliefs, attitudes, and barriers. Following the pre-test, students were instructed to watch a short educational video about HPV and the HPV vaccine. Students then completed a similar post-test to assess if there were increases in basic HPV education, and changes in beliefs, attitudes, barriers, or intent to vaccinate. Results between pre-and post-survey data indicated an increase in both HPV knowledge and intent to vaccinate. An increase in vaccination rates was not noted, although of the 30 student participants, 70% had completed the HPV vaccine series prior to education. Questions addressing attitude indicated an increase in motivation to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Questions addressing belief indicated students believed they would be protected from the most cancer-causing strains of HPV. Fifty percent of students indicated they believed themselves at risk for acquiring HPV. Questions addressing barriers indicated the following were not barriers: healthcare coverage, work and school, and their provider offering them the chance to begin the HPV vaccine series. The only barrier identified with a slight increase in mean of 0.08 indicated the cost of the vaccine series to be a concern.