Health beliefs and attitudes associated with HPV vaccine intention among young gay and bisexual men in the Southeastern United States. Vaccine 2011 Oct 19;29(45):8060-5
Date
08/26/2011Pubmed ID
21864615DOI
10.1016/j.vaccine.2011.08.045Scopus ID
2-s2.0-80053627589 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 79 CitationsAbstract
Gay and bisexual men are at increased risk of anal cancer as a result of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. Prophylactic vaccination is a potentially effective strategy for preventing anal cancer in this population. The purpose of this study was to identify factors associated with gay and bisexual men's intention to receive HPV vaccine. In the fall of 2010, 179 self-identified gay and bisexual men (mean age 22 years) completed an Internet-based questionnaire assessing beliefs and attitudes toward HPV vaccination. Men were recruited from college-based and Internet venues throughout the southeastern United States. The probability of intent to receive HPV vaccine was modeled using logistic regression. A majority of men (93%) had heard of HPV prior to participation but were generally unaware of the association of HPV with anal, penile, and oral cancers. Only 26% were aware of an HPV vaccine for males. Of the 179 participants, 64 (36%) were likely to be vaccinated. Men most likely to receive HPV vaccine perceived stronger physical and psychological benefits from vaccination and had more positive attitudes toward the vaccine. Conversely, intent to be vaccinated was negatively associated with concern over the financial cost of vaccination. Findings from this study can inform college-based health education programs aimed at increasing vaccine uptake among gay and bisexual men.
Author List
Wheldon CW, Daley EM, Buhi ER, Nyitray AG, Giuliano ARAuthor
Alan Nyitray PhD Associate Professor in the Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine department at Medical College of WisconsinMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
AdolescentAdult
Anus Neoplasms
Bisexuality
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
Homosexuality, Male
Humans
Male
Models, Statistical
Mouth Neoplasms
Papillomavirus Infections
Papillomavirus Vaccines
Patient Acceptance of Health Care
Penile Neoplasms
Southeastern United States
Surveys and Questionnaires
Young Adult
