Consideration of Future Consequences and HPV Vaccine Uptake Among Young Adults

Abstract

The authors investigated the effect of individual difference in consideration of future consequences (CFC) on the uptake of the HPV vaccine among a group of young adults. A cross-sectional survey of 676 college students was conducted. Findings indicated that CFC had no direct effect on HPV vaccine uptake. However, CFC had significant effects on a number of HPV-related health beliefs in that greater CFC was associated with less perceived susceptibility to HPV, greater perceived severity of HPV, less perceived logistic/financial barriers, and higher perceived vaccine efficacy. CFC exerted a significant indirect effect on vaccine uptake through perceived vaccine efficacy. Implications of the findings for health communication are discussed.

Notes

¹Gardasil is effective against HPVs that cause cervical cancer and genital warts. Cervarix is effective against HPVs that cause cervical cancer but not genital warts.