Viral sexually transmitted disease vaccine acceptability among college students.
OBJECTIVE
Vaccines are an important strategy for the control of infectious diseases; however, they are only successful if accepted. The object of this study was to examine factors that could affect vaccine acceptance among college students for 2 sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).


OBJECTIVE
The goal was to examine the impact of gender and specific rationales on STD vaccine acceptance using health behavior theories.


METHODS
Participants completed a questionnaire regarding attitudes about hypothetical STD vaccines.


RESULTS
Seventy-four percent of each group endorsed acceptance. Factors influencing genital herpes vaccine acceptance were parents' feelings, belief in vaccination, universal recommendation, numerous partners, a belief that acquisition makes finding partners difficult, and low cost. Human papillomavirus vaccine factors were parents' feelings, universal recommendation, numerous partners, safety, and low cost.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results indicate that most college students would accept STD vaccination. Factors affecting acceptance were similar for both pathogens. The results suggest acceptance will be positively affected by health policies encouraging universal vaccination.
Boehner
Constance W
CW
Department of Psychology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA. cmhc1148@cmhcinc.org
Howe
Steven R
SR
Bernstein
David I
DI
Rosenthal
Susan L
SL
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006558:Herpes Genitalis / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D027383:Papillomaviridae / Q000276:immunology; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000517:prevention & control; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D018139:Simplexvirus / Q000276:immunology; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013781:Texas; D014412:Tumor Virus Infections / Q000517:prevention & control; D014495:Universities; D014765:Viral Vaccines
D014765:Viral Vaccines