Predicting Human Papillomavirus Vaccine Intentions of College-Aged Males: An Examination of Parents’ and Son's Perceptions

Abstract

Objective: To examine male students’ and their parents’ human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine communication in relation to males’ willingness to discuss the vaccine with their health care provider and the likelihood of being vaccinated. Participants: Dyads (n = 111) of students and parents. Methods: Participants completed a HPV vaccine survey based on the risk perception attitude framework in 2009. Results: Male students’ perceived susceptibility for HPV and self-efficacy to talk to their provider were directly related to their intention to discuss the HPV vaccine, and their intention was directly related to their likelihood of being vaccinated. Parents’ perceived self-efficacy to talk to their son and response efficacy of the vaccine were directly related to their intention to talk to their son; however, parents’ intention was not related to the likelihood of their son being vaccinated. Conclusions: College males may benefit from HPV vaccine educational programs that include communication skills training to discuss the HPV vaccine with their parents.

Keywords:

• human papillomavirus (HPV)
• HPV vaccine
• males
• sexually transmitted infection

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors acknowledge the following support for this study: The Ohio State University Coordinating Committee for the Population and Health: Targeted Investments in Excellence Initiative (Co-Principal Investigators: J.K., A.R., M.L.K.); The National Cancer Institute grants K07 CA107079 (M.L.K.) and P30 CA016058 (The Behavioral Measurement Shared Resource at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center).