Reasons and influential recommendations associated with HPV vaccination among Chinese college students in the USA

Abstract

Objectives

To evaluate (a) reasons for not receiving recommended doses of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, (b) the most influential recommending source in getting the HPV vaccine, and (c) associated factors among Chinese college students in the United States.

Methods

A cross-sectional design utilizing a structured self-report questionnaire was used.

Participants

A network sample of 449 participants aged 18 or older completed the survey between March and May of 2018.

Results

Only 172 participants (38.3%) had received the HPV vaccine. The most common reason was that participants had never received recommendations from healthcare providers regarding HPV vaccines. Recommendations from doctors were the most cited source in deciding HPV vaccine uptake. Factors associated with reasons and recommendation sources included attitudes toward HPV, gender, school year, age, major, and health insurance.

Conclusions

Healthcare providers play an important role in promoting HPV vaccination among Chinese college students. More research is needed for this understudied population.

Keywords:

• Chinese college student
• HPV vaccination
• reasons
• recommendation

Additional information

Funding

This study was funded by the Smernoff Research Award.