HPV Vaccination Intentions in Black Young Adults

Purpose: The purpose of this quantitative study in HPV vaccine naïve, Black college students aged 18-24, enrolled in a minority serving institution (MSI) and/or historically black college/university (HBCU), is to assess perceived: vulnerability, severity, benefits, barriers; and risk behavior factors (trust/mistrust, social influence, and prior sexual behavior) regarding intent to initiate and complete the HPV vaccination series. Methodology: After IRB approval was obtained, Black college students were recruited from the MSI/HBCU(s). The study was guided by the Health Belief Model. The participants completed paper and pencil surveys. Findings: The research was conducted in pursuit of four aims. There were one hundred and fifty-eight participants in this study. In reference to aim one, there was not a statistical difference in age and location; while gender could influence the intent to be vaccinated in Black college students. For aim two: there was no significant interaction between perceived: vulnerability and benefits and gender in reference to their intent to receive the HPV vaccination; yet perceived: severity and barriers influenced plan to receive vaccination; finally, in perceived: vulnerability and benefits, female participants were more likely to plan to receive the vaccination than males. For aim three, there was no significant interaction between trust/mistrust, social influence, or prior sexual behavior; although in trust/mistrust and prior sexual behavior female participants were more likely to plan to receive the vaccination than males. For aim four, there is a statistical difference noted in regard to the change in dosing from three to two doses in reference to black college students’ intention to become vaccinated. Conclusion: As depicted in the framework, gender, perceived severity and perceived barriers were predictive of intentions to vaccinate; however, the other variables of this study were not found to have relative contributions to intentions to receive the HPV vaccination. Also, it was found that the change in dosing has a relative contribution to Black college students receiving the HPV vaccine. While this study only found slight support for the theoretical framework, pertinent suggestions for future clinical practice and research were found