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

Abstract

The aim of this cross-sectional survey was to assess awareness, knowledge, and attitudes in regard to human papillomavirus (HPV) and vaccination against HPV among college students. From 2015 to 2017, 386 diverse undergraduates were recruited from a south Florida university. A survey, part of which was researcher developed, of HPV awareness, knowledge, and attitudes was conducted. The majority (84%) of participants had heard of HPV, and 70% had favorable attitudes toward vaccination. Only 28% of men and 55% of women had received ≥1 dose vaccine (p =.01), and 4% of all participants reported that they had received 3 doses. Those with ≥1 dose (n = 123, 40.1%) were more knowledgeable about HPV (p =.01). High knowledge scores were recorded for 30% of respondents and were strongly associated with HPV vaccine initiation among both men and women (p