Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most prevalent sexually transmitted infection in the United States. HPV family of viruses comprises many oncogenic and non-oncogenic types that cause anal, penile, and oropharyngeal cancers and anogenital warts in men respectively. It is estimated that more than 80% of sexually active men and women will be infected with at least one type of HPV at some point in their lives (Chesson et al., 2014). Moreover, genital HPV infection is most common among sexually active adolescents and young adults (Partridge et al., 2007). The prevalence of HPV infection among men aged 18 to 70 was found to be around 50%, with 30% and 38% prevalence of oncogenic and non-oncogenic types respectively (Giuliano et al., 2011). The most
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Participants had to complete a 39-item instrument which measured the aforementioned six selected SCT constructs as well as descriptive and demographic items. Participants received extra credit points as an incentive for participation. The majority of the participants were non-Hispanic (97.1%), White (84.5%), single (98.4%), and heterosexual (97.4%) with a mean age of 21 years. Over three quarters of them heard about HPV, but nearly half never heard of the HPV vaccine. Overall participants’ behavioral intention to get the HPV vaccine in the next 6 months was low. Multiple regression analyses of the theoretical model revealed that situational perception and self-control to get HPV vaccine were strong significant predictors of behavioral …show more content…
However, female gender was a significant predictor of increased perceived behavioral control. Neither attitudes nor perceived behavioral control were identified as significant predictors of intent. However, subjective norms did serve as a significant predictor of getting the HPV vaccine.
Limitations of this study include a relatively small sample size, self-selection bias, and a lack of data on individuals who did not provide consent for the study that may constitute a different group altogether with different unique factors than the ones presented in this study. Furthermore, HPV vaccination data was derived from self-reports without verification or corroboration with medical records which may affect the alleged rates of HPV vaccine initiation in this study. Lastly, the correlative analyses were focused on intent which may not predict actual HPV vaccine
Participants had to complete a 39-item instrument which measured the aforementioned six selected SCT constructs as well as descriptive and demographic items. Participants received extra credit points as an incentive for participation. The majority of the participants were non-Hispanic (97.1%), White (84.5%), single (98.4%), and heterosexual (97.4%) with a mean age of 21 years. Over three quarters of them heard about HPV, but nearly half never heard of the HPV vaccine. Overall participants’ behavioral intention to get the HPV vaccine in the next 6 months was low. Multiple regression analyses of the theoretical model revealed that situational perception and self-control to get HPV vaccine were strong significant predictors of behavioral …show more content…
However, female gender was a significant predictor of increased perceived behavioral control. Neither attitudes nor perceived behavioral control were identified as significant predictors of intent. However, subjective norms did serve as a significant predictor of getting the HPV vaccine.
Limitations of this study include a relatively small sample size, self-selection bias, and a lack of data on individuals who did not provide consent for the study that may constitute a different group altogether with different unique factors than the ones presented in this study. Furthermore, HPV vaccination data was derived from self-reports without verification or corroboration with medical records which may affect the alleged rates of HPV vaccine initiation in this study. Lastly, the correlative analyses were focused on intent which may not predict actual HPV vaccine