Increasing Knowledge about HPV and the HPV Vaccine Among Young Adults Through a College-Based Intervention

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a sexually transmitted virus that causes many types of cancer including cervical cancer. HPV related cancers can be prevented by utilizing the HPV vaccine that has been approved for both males and females. Despite the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations to vaccinate, there are still a large percentage of high-risk individuals who have not received the vaccine and remain at risk for HPV-associated diseases. A practice innovation project was implemented in a Minnesota college to students aged 18-26 years old. The goals of this project were to improve the knowledge about HPV and the HPV vaccine in these students and to increase the intention to receive the HPV vaccine. The Health Belief Model was used to guide this project. Students were educated using a voice-over-PowerPoint and a HPV pamphlet. Prior to education, immediately post-education, and eight weeks after educational intervention the students completed an online 3-item demographic survey and 11-item pre-test and post-test survey. The results showed an increase in knowledge and an increase in intent to vaccinate against HPV among the young adult students. Knowledge gained from this project should encourage education of young adults about HPV and the HPV vaccine