Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and vaccination: A cross-sectional study of college students’ knowledge, awareness, and attitudes in Villanova, PA

Abstract

Human papillomaviruses are major causative agents of multiple cancers including cervical, vulvar, penile, anal, and oropharyngeal cancers. Almost all sexually active individuals are exposed to HPV in their lifetime and although not all HPV genotypes are capable of causing cancers, several high-risk subtypes widely circulate. Several HPV vaccines have been developed and successfully utilized to limit the spread of these viruses and reduce rates of associated cancers. Despite their success, HPV vaccination rates in the United States remain low. Studies estimate the highest prevalence of HPV in the United States is among college students. This makes college students an important target for interventions that promote HPV vaccination and prevention. To this end, we were interested in investigating the relationship between low HPV vaccine uptake and attitudes and awareness about HPV vaccination among college aged students. We designed a survey to assess knowledge and perception of HPV and HPV vaccination that could help identify correlations between this knowledge and vaccination status. Overall, the data suggest that factors beyond basic knowledge about HPV infections, such as vaccine safety and social acceptance of vaccination, may have important impacts on vaccination rates. More robust education in these areas, supplemented with education about the benefits of HPV vaccination could be utilized to improve vaccination rates.

Implementing a cancer survivorship seminar course to non-healthcare professional undergraduate students

“…In view of the lack of a validated tool available for this study, a survey instrument was designed by the principal investigator (A.C.) of the study after conducting an extensive literature search on the impact of medical education on undergraduate students [ 3 , 4 , 7 – 13 , 15 ]. As part of the survey development process, a panel of experts in cancer survivorship (R.C., Y.K., C.J.T., Y.L.T., D.Q.N.)…”

“…In view that cancer is more likely to affect older individuals, most young adults do not have extensive experience in interacting with cancer patients or managing complications associated with cancer. Within the United States, much of the cancer education within higher education is focused on prevention of skin cancer [ 2 , 3 ] or human papillomavirus [ 4 , 5 ]. Currently, didactic education on cancer is also primarily focused on healthcare students, with most educational program designed for medical [ 6 – 9 ] and nursing students [ 10 – 13 ].…”

Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of HPV vaccination among pharmacy students and other health science students

“…The content of the measurement questions was developed based on previous studies. [25][26][27][28] The outcome measurement includes (1) knowledge about HPV and cervical cancer, (2) knowledge about the HPV vaccine, (3) attitudes toward HPV, cervical cancer, and HPV vaccine, (4) HPV vaccination practices, and (5) demographic characteristics, characteristics related to HPV, cervical cancer among students.…”

Exploring human papillomavirus vaccine hesitancy among college students and the potential of virtual reality technology to increase vaccine acceptance: a mixed-methods study

“…Although safe, efficacious vaccines against HPV have been available since 2006 for women and 2009 for men ( 6 , 7 ), many eligible young adults have chosen to delay or refuse HPV vaccination ( 8–10 ). Across all age-based populations in the U.S., college students have reported high rates of HPV prevalence along with low rates of HPV vaccination ( 11–13 ). The 2022 National College Health Assessment survey demonstrated that only 41% of male college students and 57% of female college students were up to date with recommended HPV vaccine series ( 14 ).…”