Human papillomavirus vaccine stages of change among male and female university students: ready or not?
OBJECTIVE
To examine gender differences in human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine stages of change following the recommendations for permissive use of HPV vaccine in males.


METHODS
Students aged 18-26 attending a large, public, Midwest university in April 2010.


METHODS
Participants completed a self-administered, online questionnaire. HPV vaccine stage of change was assessed according to core constructs of the Transtheoretical Model of Behavior Change. Logistic regression was used to identify associations of HPV-related beliefs and attitudes with stage of change.


RESULTS
Although most (80.5%) of the 4,019 participants had at least contemplated HPV vaccination, more females had taken observable steps towards vaccination. Significant differences between genders in HPV-related beliefs and attitudes were observed, particularly perceived parental or perceived health care provider approval of HPV vaccination.


CONCLUSIONS
University students generally agreed with the benefits of HPV vaccination, both for themselves and for society, and these attitudes were significantly associated with having at least contemplated vaccination.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48106, USA. divya@med.umich.edu
Divya A
DA
Patel
Katherine A
KA
Grunzweig
Melissa K
MK
Zochowski
Amanda F
AF
Dempsey
Ruth C
RC
Carlos
Vanessa K
VK
Dalton
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D017589:Immunization Programs; D033182:Intention; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D015146:Midwestern United States; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D053918:Papillomavirus Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D012737:Sex Factors; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*; D014495:Universities; D055815:Young Adult
D053918:Papillomavirus Vaccines