Improving interventions designed to prevent human papillomavirus (HPV) infection among college students

Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection among adolescents and young adults. No cure exists, but prophylactic vaccines are available that protect against the most burdensome strains. The purpose of this investigation was to systematically analyze HPV interventions targeting college students and develop recommendations to enhance their effectiveness. Methods: Inclusion criteria were: (a) completed, (b) primary prevention interventions, (c) targeting general HPV prevention, HPV vaccination uptake, or antecedents of HPV vaccination uptake in college students, (d) used any quantitative design, (e) published in the English language, (f) between January 2000 and February 2014. Results: Twelve interventions met the inclusion criteria. Among the identified studies, 10 produced significant outcomes. Nine utilized randomized controlled design, and three used pretest-posttest design. The majority (n = 7) of interventions targeted college women, and one exclusively targeted college men. Seven interventions incorporated theory-based frameworks; yet, only two operationalized its theoretical constructs. The duration of the interventions ranged from five minutes to two hours. A variety of educational modalities were used including multi-media technology, lectures, role-plays, and discussions. Programs were delivered in classrooms, computer labs, clinics, and over the Internet. Conclusions: College students have a high risk of acquiring HPV due to engagement in unprotected sex. HPV interventions have demonstrated promise and more research is needed in this area. Programs can be enhanced through pre-testing and tailoring materials by gender, operationalizing theory, incorporating process evaluation, employing HPV vaccine uptake or series completion as outcome measures, and using web-based delivery of interventions.