Abstract

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most prevalent sexually-transmitted infection in the U.S. Specific types have been linked to 70% of cervical cancers, 90% of genital warts, 65% of vulvar cancers, 35% of penile cancers, and 70% of head and neck cancers (Markowitz et al., 2014). According to the CDC, the most effective way to prevent HPV- associated infections and HPV-related cancer is through vaccination. The purpose of this study was to determine how knowledgeable college students ages 18-26 years are of HPV, HPV vaccine, and vaccination compliance among these students. The Health Promotion Model (HPM) created by Pender (2011) was used as the theoretical framework for guiding this study. This research study presented the following questions: V Are college students ages 18-26 years knowledgeable of HPV and HPV-related diseases? Are college students ages 18-26 years knowledgeable of the HPV vaccination series? Are college students initiating the HPV vaccination series? The study was a nonexperimental, quantitative study that used descriptive statistics. A convenience sample of 30 college students ages 18-26 years that signed in at a university student health center and completed a 30-question survey that was used to assess the desired variables. Knowledge of HPV was assessed by 24 true and false questions related to HPV disease. A score of 0 was given for each incorrect answer, and a score of 1 was given for each correct answer with a total of 24 points possible. College students with a total score of 17 points or higher were considered knowledgeable of HPV. Knowledge of the HPV vaccine was assessed by 6 questions related to the HPV vaccine. A score of 0 was given for each incorrect answer, and a score of 1 was given for each correct answer with a total of 6 points possible. College students with a total score of 5 or higher were considered knowledgeable of the HPV vaccine. Results of the three research questions are as follows. In response to Question 1, whether college students ages 18-26 years are knowledgeable of the HPV-related diseases, 18 participants received a passing grade on the HPV questions (60% passing rate), and 12 participants received a failing grade (40% failure rate). In response to Question 2, whether college students ages 18-26 years are knowledgeable of the HPV vaccination series, 66.7% had a passing rate and 33.3% had a failing rate. In response to Question 3 (whether college students are initiating HPV series), 43.3% indicated that they had taken the HPV vaccination, 50.0% indicated that they had not taken the HPV vaccination, and 6.7% did not answer the question.

Degree

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

Department

Graduate Nursing

Degree Date

8-1-2017

Publication Number

27924528

Document Type

Thesis

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