title: Knowledge, perceptions, and motivations related to HPV vaccination among college women.
abstract: Little research exists on the factors that affect the uptake patterns of the recently developed Gardasil® vaccine among young women. Human papillomavirus (HPV)-related knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors of 18-24-year-old female students (n = 1,975) were assessed via an electronic survey. Mean HPV knowledge score, on a 10-point scale, was 6.8. A weak positive correlation (r (1,976) = 0.123, p < 0.001) was found between knowledge score and having received the vaccine. Parent recommendation, doctor recommendation, and perceiving the consequences of HPV as severe and prevalent were strongly related to previous vaccination. Data suggest a need for increased education about the vaccine and the importance of physician recommendation in increasing vaccine uptake.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634-0745, USA.
authors.forename: Megan K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Bendik
authors.forename: Rachel M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Mayo
authors.forename: Veronica G
authors.initials: VG
authors.lastname: Parker
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D009042:Motivation; D027383:Papillomaviridae / Q000276:immunology; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D053918:Papillomavirus Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010465:Perception; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014495:Universities; D014611:Vaccination / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D053918:Papillomavirus Vaccines