A significant portion of college students are not aware of HPV disease and HPV vaccine recommendations

Abstract

There is limited data on the HPV immunization status of Latino/Hispanic youth in the USA. In Los Angeles County in 2015, 54,973 (34.3%) college students were of Latino/Hispanic background. We examined Los Angeles County college students' awareness of HPV and HPV-related disease, HPV vaccine recommendations, and their vaccination status. This study surveyed 212 Los Angeles college students from January to April 2018. In a convenience sampling study, a 31-question, IRB-approved survey was administered face-to-face to college students 18 years and older at California State University settings in Los Angeles County. Almost two-thirds of the male (65%) and half of the female (51.6%) respondents did not know that the HPV vaccine is recommended through 26 years of age, and 47.6% did not know they can get the HPV vaccine at the college student health center or youth-friendly clinics. Ethnicity, family income, and the highest level of education in the family had a significant impact on immunization rates. Self-reported and actual HPV knowledge levels were significantly associated with vaccination status. Educational strategies focusing on the logistics of receiving the HPV vaccine and HPV vaccine catch-up eligibility for college students may be effective in decreasing racial disparities in vaccine receipt.

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

“…Kellogg et al (2019) found that college men (65%) were significantly less aware of HPV vaccine age recommendations than college women were (51.6%). Misconceptions related to the appropriate age to get vaccinated may lead vaccine-eligible men to not initiate vaccination, despite being aware of HPV.…”

The impact of socioeconomic status on HPV infection among young Brazilians in a nationwide multicenter study

“…Although no significant association has been found between socioeconomic status and HPV, the prevalence of both overall and high-risk HPV infection has increased in the lower social classes as compared to the higher class (A-B). The HPV catch-up vaccination status seems to be higher among women with higher education level ( Grandahl et al, 2017 , Kellogg et al, 2019 ), and the coverage in high socioeconomic areas is also higher than the coverage in low socioeconomic areas ( Barbaro and Brotherton, 2014 ). These social inequalities should influence the prevalence of HPV-associated cancers, once an inverse association between social class and HPV-associated cancers has been reported ( Benard et al, 2008 ).…”

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

“…A self-administered survey consisting of 25 multiple choice questions was developed based on previously used HPVrelated student surveys and the needs of CIS studying at American universities. [12][13][14][15][16] We collected information on demographics, healthcare activity, sexual activity, HPV vaccination status, and HPV disease and vaccine knowledge and attitudes. Questions were multiple choice, with 2 to 11 possible answers, available in both paper and electronic (Survey Monkey) formats, and surveys typically took 10-15 minutes to complete.…”