Human papillomavirus (HPV) risk factors, vaccination patterns, and vaccine perceptions among a sample of male college students.

OBJECTIVE

To examine human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination rates, including initiation and completion of the vaccine series, and barriers to vaccination in a sample of male college students.

PARTICIPANTS

Male students between the ages of 18 and 25 who reported being currently or previously sexually active (N = 735).

METHODS

A cross-sectional Web-based survey was administered during October 2012 at a large public university in the northeast United States. Student e-mail addresses were obtained from the university after institutional review board approval.

RESULTS

Although condom use was low and number of lifetime sexual partners was high, 93% reported they were not at risk for sexually transmitted infections. The college men in the sample had low HPV vaccine awareness, knowledge, perceived severity, and perceived susceptibility, and 74% of the sample had not obtained the HPV vaccine.

CONCLUSIONS

There is a disconnect between actual and perceived risks of HPV and barriers to HPV vaccination exist.