College Students' HPV Knowledge and Intention to be HPV Vaccinated

Author

Chandrika Johnson, Southern Illinois University CarbondaleFollow

Date of Award

12-1-2014

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy

Department

Health Education

First Advisor

Ogletree, Roberta

Abstract

Combating HPV infection in males is a significant public health issue. In addition to the number of HPV-related cancers that develop each year, Palefsky (2007) reported that "HPV infection of men is of great importance given that sexual transmission is the primary mode of spread to women" (p. 261). In recent years, the development of the HPV vaccine has spurred controversy over whether or not males as well as females should obtain the vaccine against this disease. The purpose of this study was to examine male college students' intention to be HPV vaccinated and their HPV knowledge, attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control towards the vaccination. A descriptive, correlational, cross-sectioned research design was employed. Two hundred and eight (208) male college students at a mid-sized public university participated in the study and completed an in-class questionnaire. The results of the descriptive statistics showed that, on average, the sample of 208 male college students had correct responses on only half of the 15 questions regarding knowledge about HPV based on the mean scores. Respondents had positive attitudes towards HPV vaccination, greater sense of control over being HPV vaccinated, and favorable intention to be HPV vaccinated. Subjective norms and perceived behavioral control were significant predictors of male college students' behavioral intention to be HPV vaccinated. Subjective norms and perceived behavioral control had a positive influence on male college students' behavioral intention to be HPV vaccinated. Lastly, male college students' level of HPV knowledge was not significantly correlated to their behavioral intention to be HPV vaccinated