EXPLORING THE EFFECT OF HBM CONSTRUCTS AND KNOWLEDGE ON HPV VACCINATION UPTAKE AND WILLINGNESS TO RECEIVE THE HPV VACCINE AMONG COLLEGE STUDENTS

Abstract

HPV is the most common STD in the U.S. About 43 million people with HPV infections. Although the HPV vaccine has been available for over ten years and is the most effective approach to preventing HPV infection, vaccination rates are low among college students. This study aimed to measure HPV vaccination rates, HPV and HPV vaccine knowledge, and cognitive beliefs among college students across different sociodemographic characteristics. Additionally, it aimed to assess the effect of HBM constructs on HPV vaccination uptake and the willingness of non-HPV vaccinated to get the vaccine among college students. Furthermore, it aimed to assess the effect of acculturation on the HPV vaccination uptake among foreign-born college students. A cross-sectional web-based self-administered survey was used to collect data on 2,843 eligible college students. Chi-square test, independent samples t-test, one-way ANOVA, and hierarchical logistic regression analysis were used to address the research questions. This study found that about 72% of the college students were HPV-vaccinated, and about 56% of the non-HPV vaccinated college students were willing to receive the vaccine. College students had moderate knowledge of HPV and the HPV vaccine. Hierarchical logistic regression indicated that being male, Black, 26 years old, and with a graduate degree college students, high levels of perceived severity, high levels of perceived barriers, low levels of perceived susceptibly, and low levels of cues to action were significantly associated with decreased odds of being HPV-vaccinated. Among non-HPV vaccinated college students, being male, Black, Hispanic, and Asian college students, high levels of perceived susceptibly, high levels of perceived benefits, and high levels of cues to action were significantly associated with increased odds of willingness to receive the HPV vaccine. Among foreign-born college students, the hierarchical logistic regression final model indicated that age category, perceived susceptibility to HPV, perceived barriers to receiving the HPV vaccine, and cue to receiving the HPV vaccine variables were significantly associated with the HPV vaccination uptake. The results of this study provided significant insights into the HPV vaccination behavior among college students. Further, these findings can be used to develop interventions to increase HPV vaccination rates among college students.