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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

Elizabeth J. Levy, BA, Emory Unviersity, 1550 Briarvista Way, Atlanta, GA 30329, 404-556-7839, lizlevy@gmail.com

Human papillomavirus (HPV), the most common STI in the United States, peaks in prevalence among women age 22-25. A random sample of 1800 undergraduate students from a private southeastern university were recruited to participate in a study that aimed to assess HPV health beliefs among college students as well as to determine correlates of HPV vaccine acceptability. Vaccine acceptability was measured as the likelihood of getting a 100% effective HPV vaccine under various parameters including cost, number of doses, severity of side effects, frequency of side effects, and strength of healthcare provider recommendation. The 341 students who participated in the study completed a 94-item web-administered survey that used the Health Belief Model as its foundation. Results indicate that within each parameter of vaccine acceptability, the likelihood of getting vaccinated against HPV was highest for the most ideal circumstances and decreased as the circumstances became less ideal. Additionally, perceived susceptibility was significantly associated with likelihood of getting a 100% effective HPV vaccine under every parameter while perceived severity was only associated with likelihood of getting the vaccine at the lowest cost. Perceived benefits was associated with likelihood of getting the vaccine under every parameter except when the vaccine was accompanied by frequent side effects or a strong provider recommendation. Furthermore, perceived barriers was negatively associated with likelihood of getting the vaccine under every parameter. These findings suggest that HPV vaccine marketing efforts should maximize perceived susceptibility of HPV and perceived benefits of getting immunized against HPV while minimizing barriers to vaccination.

Learning Objectives: At the end of the presentation, participants will be able to

• Identify three correlates of HPV vaccine acceptability among college students.; and
• Discuss marketing tactics that should be employed in marketing a 100% effective HPV vaccine among college students.

Keywords: STD Prevention, Adolescent Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation