Human Papillomavirus Vaccination Intentions and Uptake in College Women

Objective: Using the health belief model (HBM) and theory of planned behavior (TPB) as theoreticalframeworks, 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 intentionsand uptake. Methods: 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. Logisticregressions were conducted to examine the correlates of vaccination intentions and uptake. Results:Negative health consequences of the vaccine, physician’s recommendation, positive attitudes toward thevaccine, and subjective norms were significant correlates of vaccination intentions. When comparingcorrelates of vaccination intentions to correlates of vaccination uptake, physician’s recommendation,subjective norms, and perceived susceptibility to HPV were unique correlates of uptake. Conclusion:Differences between correlates of vaccination intentions and uptake suggest that social influences ofliked and trusted individuals may make an important and unique contribution in motivating youngwomen to receive the HPV vaccine beyond other variables from the HBM and TPB. Future utilizationof longitudinal designs is needed to understand which factors may cause individuals to decide to receivethe HPV vaccine.Keywords: human papillomavirus (HPV), papillomavirus vaccine, health behaviors, vaccine decision-making