Examining Health Promotion Theories, Limitations, and Lessons Learned for HPV Vaccination Interventions among College Students in the United States: A Systematic Literature Review

ABSTRACT

Background

Despite the availability of health resources such as immunizations on campus, HPV vaccination rates in college students remain low with existing gender disparities in HPV vaccine uptake.

Purpose

The purpose of this systematic review was to identify common limitations to HPV vaccination interventions among college students, utilized health promotion theories that have been reported to improve HPV vaccination rates among the population of interest, and lessons learned from intervention outcomes.

Methods

The review team consisted of a group of researchers with medical and/or public health backgrounds who are experts in the assessment, development, implementation, and evaluation of HPV vaccination interventions for US college students. The Arksey and O’Malley framework methodology guided the review.

Results

Out of the 21 included studies, only 16 utilized health promotion theories and/or models to disseminate and implement the research intervention, with the most common theory being the Health Belief Model (HBM) (n = 7). A total of 50 limitations were identified from 19 studies and classified accordingly.

Discussion

Results may contribute to a broader understanding of major limitations to consider when designing HPV vaccination initiatives in college settings.

Translation to Health Education Practice

Different NCHEC areas were applied in the design and administration of this study.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).