HPV and HPV vaccine information among a national sample of college and university websites

Abstract

Background and purpose To describe the availability of human papillomavirus (HPV) and HPV vaccine information accessible to college students via official college and university websites. Methods A review and analysis of HPV and HPV vaccination information abstracted from a national sample (n = 214) of college/university websites. Three abstractors systematically evaluated quality and quantity of vaccination, sexual health, and HPV disease information from health service webpages. Conclusions The majority of colleges/universities had designated student health service webpages (n = 181). Of these, 86% provided information on vaccinations, but less than 50% mentioned HPV or the HPV vaccine specifically and only 32% provided any HPV educational information. Colleges/university webpages that provide sexual health and or general vaccination information had higher odds of providing information on HPV and HPV vaccination. Implications for practice Nurse practitioners who care for college‐aged persons need to be cognizant of the many ways they can promote HPV vaccination. Providing accurate information about resources available at student health centers is a way to promote health on campus; the findings from this study indicate that HPV and HPV vaccine information may be lacking on many college/university websites.

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

“…The disparity between men and women may be closing as a result of an increase in overall awareness, with no significant differences by sex found in the present study. This is an apparent improvement compared with earlier research that found that college women were significantly more aware of HPV than college men were (Fontenot, Fantasia, Sutherland, et al, 2016; Gerend & Magloire, 2007; Osazuwa-Peters et al, 2017; Sandfort & Pleasant, 2009). Although awareness of the virus itself may be improving among men, we can continue this trend by ensuring that men are the recipients of detailed education efforts.…”

“…Vaccine acceptability is correlated with awareness and knowledge of HPV (Ferris et al, 2009; Gerend & Barley, 2009; Hunter & Weinstein, 2016; Lenselink et al, 2008); yet, until recently, little research has included college-aged men’s attitudes toward HPV vaccination (Brewer, Ng, McRee, & Reiter, 2010; Fitzgerald, Savage, & Hegarty, 2014). Research focused on characterizing disparities in awareness and knowledge is especially needed in diverse areas, such as the state of Florida, which has some of the lowest HPV vaccination rates in the country as well as some of the highest cervical cancer rates (Fontenot, Fantasia, Sutherland, & Lee-St. John, 2016). An evaluation of what men and women in college know, think, and do about the threat of HPV can offer possible solutions to remedy the underutilization of the HPV vaccine in a population at high risk for contracting this preventable infection.…”

Improving Human Papillomavirus-Related Knowledge and Attitudes Among Ethnically Diverse Young Adults

“…40 Several studies find women surpassing men in HPV-related knowledge. 41,42 Vaccine initiation ( ‡1 dose) in Hispanic students was 41%, similar to non-Hispanics in this sample, despite reporting receiving less HPV-related information before involvement in the intervention. Hispanic adolescents surveyed in a 2015 Florida study reported 61.7% of women and 50.1% of men having received at least one dose of HPV vaccine, 43 a higher coverage than observed in our study.…”

The influence of affect on HPV vaccine decision making in an HPV vaccine naïve college student population

“…Student health centers could be an ideal setting for vaccine naïve young adults to obtain preventive vaccinations; specifically, many students utilize these resources for primary care ( Turner and Keller, 2015 ), and over 12 million young adults under age 25 are enrolled in American colleges and universities ( NCES, 2018 ); however; campus health centers may not be providing easily accessible information about HPV vaccine education or availability. A recent analysis of college health center websites at 214 American universities found that only 50% mentioned HPV vaccine and only 32% of those provided any additional information such as costs and availability ( Fontenot et al, 2016 ). Research regarding health communication approaches to increase HPV vaccine suggests a preference for strong, straight-forward recommendations ( Malo et al, 2016 ).…”