Human papillomavirus vaccine acceptability among young adult men.
BACKGROUND
For human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination to have maximum benefit to public health, both men and women should be vaccinated. Although efficacy trials in men are still ongoing, the HPV vaccine will likely be licensed for men in the near future. Little is known about men's interest in HPV vaccination. This study assessed whether informing men about the benefits of male HPV vaccination for their female sexual partner(s) boosted interest in the HPV vaccine beyond informing them about the benefits to men alone. Predictors of HPV vaccine acceptability were also identified.


METHODS
Heterosexual male college students (n = 356) were randomly assigned to receive a self-protection versus a self-protection and partner protection message about HPV and the quadrivalent HPV vaccine. Participants provided demographic and sexual history information, HPV-related awareness and knowledge, health beliefs, and HPV vaccination intentions.


RESULTS
: Men reported moderate interest in the HPV vaccine; vaccine acceptability did not differ by experimental condition. A multivariate regression model identified several independent predictors of HPV vaccine acceptability including sexual activity, perceived susceptibility to HPV, perceived benefits of the vaccine, perceived hassle and cost of vaccination, self-efficacy for vaccination, and perceived norms for vaccination.


CONCLUSIONS
Informing men about the benefits of male HPV vaccination for reducing cervical cancer risk in women did not increase men's interest in the vaccine. Correlates of vaccine acceptability among men were generally consistent with those identified for women. Findings have important implications for future HPV vaccination campaigns targeting young adult men.
Gerend
Mary A
MA
Department of Medical Humanities and Social Sciences, Florida State University College of Medicine, Tallahassee, Florida, USA. mary.gerend@med.fsu.edu
Barley
Jessica
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D053918:Papillomavirus Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D012747:Sexual Partners; D015229:Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Viral / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014611:Vaccination; D055815:Young Adult
D053918:Papillomavirus Vaccines