Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Risk Factors, Vaccination Patterns, and Vaccine Perceptions Among a Sample of Male College Students

OBJECTIVE: To examine human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination rates, including initiation and completion of the vaccine series, and barriers to vaccination in a sample of male college students. PARTICIPANTS: Male students between the ages of 18 and 25 who reported being currently or previously sexually active (N = 735). METHODS: A cross-sectional Web-based survey was administered during October 2012 at a large public university in the northeast United States. Student e-mail addresses were obtained from the university after institutional review board approval. RESULTS: Although condom use was low and number of lifetime sexual partners was high, 93% reported they were not at risk for sexually transmitted infections. The college men in the sample had low HPV vaccine awareness, knowledge, perceived severity, and perceived susceptibility, and 74% of the sample had not obtained the HPV vaccine. CONCLUSIONS: There is a disconnect between actual and perceived risks of HPV and barriers to HPV vaccination exist.