Human Papillomavirus Vaccination Intentions and Uptake in College Women

• Published in: Health psychology 2012-09, Vol.31 (5), p.685-693
• Main Authors: KRAWCZYK, Andrea L, PEREZ, Samara, AMSEL, Rhonda, KNAUPER, Barbel, LAU, Elsa, HOLCROFT, Christina A, ROSBERGER, Zeev
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Attitude to Health; Biological and medical sciences; Decision Making; Female; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Human; Human Females; Human Papillomavirus; Human papillomaviruses; Humans; Illness and personality; Immunization; Intention; Logistic Models; Papillomavirus Infections - prevention & control; Papillomavirus Infections - psychology; Papillomavirus Vaccines - administration & dosage; Patient Acceptance of Health Care - psychology; Personality, behavior and health; Positive thought; Psychology and medicine; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychology. Psychophysiology; Students - psychology; Undergraduate students; Universities; Uptake; Vaccination - psychology; Vaccination - utilization; Vaccines; Young Adult
• ISSN: 0278-6133; 1930-7810
• DOI: 10.1037/a0027012

Using the health belief model (HBM) and theory of planned behavior (TPB) as theoretical frameworks, the objectives of this study were: (a) to identify correlates of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination intentions and (b) to explore differences between correlates of HPV vaccination intentions and uptake. Undergraduate women (N = 447) who did not intend to receive (n = 223), intended to receive (n = 102), or had received (n = 122) the HPV vaccine were surveyed. Logistic regressions were conducted to examine the correlates of vaccination intentions and uptake. Negative health consequences of the vaccine, physician's recommendation, positive attitudes toward the vaccine, and subjective norms were significant correlates of vaccination intentions. When comparing correlates of vaccination intentions to correlates of vaccination uptake, physician's recommendation, subjective norms, and perceived susceptibility to HPV were unique correlates of uptake. Differences between correlates of vaccination intentions and uptake suggest that social influences of liked and trusted individuals may make an important and unique contribution in motivating young women to receive the HPV vaccine beyond other variables from the HBM and TPB. Future utilization of longitudinal designs is needed to understand which factors may cause individuals to decide to receive the HPV vaccine.