Evaluation of a Brief Intervention to Improve Human Papillomavirus-Related Awareness, Knowledge, and Attitudes Among Ethnically and Sexually Diverse College Students

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a preventable infection responsible for anogenital and oropharyngeal cancers, as well as genital warts. Two safe and effective vaccines are recommended for adolescents and young adults to protect against HPV infection. Both are severely underutilized. Sexual and ethnic minorities are disproportionately affected by HPV infection and its sequelae. The goals of this study were to (1) assess baseline differences in HPV-related awareness, knowledge, and attitudes between men and women, and (2) evaluate the differential efficacy of a brief, educational HPV intervention among ethnically and sexually diverse college students. Students attending undergraduate courses from 2015 to 2017 participated in a brief, tailored, classroom intervention designed to improve HPV-related awareness, knowledge, and attitudes. These outcomes were assessed immediately before and following an evidence-based educational presentation about HPV risks, outcomes, treatments, and prevention. At baseline, 84% of participants (N=386) had heard of HPV; 28% of men and 55% of women reported receiving ?1 dose of HPV vaccine. Vaccinated women were seven times more likely to report favorable attitudes than unvaccinated women (RR=7.1, CI[3.3-15.5]). Hispanic participants had more positive attitudes toward HPV vaccination (62% vs. 44%; P=0.009) and were more willing to become vaccinated (66% vs. 46%; p=0.02) than non-Hispanic participants at baseline. Gay and bisexual men (92%) were more likely than heterosexual men (68%) to have heard of HPV, to receive any doses of HPV vaccine (37% vs 19%), to view HPV vaccination positively (58% vs 39%), and more willing to be vaccinated (86% vs 39%;