HPV Knowledge and Vaccine Uptake in College Students: A Descriptive Study

Abstract

Disparities in levels of knowledge and vaccination rates, regarding Human Papillomavirus (HPV), among college students age 18 to 26 were analyzed and compared by gender and race. Differences in the knowledge ofHPV, its transmission, sequelae related to the virus, and prevention of the virus exists. The important elements identified as the cause of this disparity include the following: preconceived barriers related to preventative vaccination, lack of proper education of both parents and patients by healthcare providers, and deficiency in offering preventative vaccines to all races and genders by healthcare providers. Marked changes in the offering of preventative vaccines for HPV, as well as appropriate education of HPV, are critical for a decrease in transmission and infection rates across the nation.

Keywords: Human Papillomavirus (HPV), vaccinations, college age students, barriers to vaccination