“Where Do We Go From Here?”: Assessing the Frequency and Barriers of College Students Receiving the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine in the United States
Jazmin Mendoza-Ortega
Co-Presenters: Individual Presentation
College: The Dorothy and George Hennings College of Science, Mathematics and Technology
Major: Biomedicine
Faculty Research Mentor: Eunice Nkansah
Abstract:
The spread and prevention of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) are rapidly emerging crises in the United States, primarily among college students. While previous studies have indicated the social misconceptions of HPV, this study assesses the frequency and barriers to college students receiving the HPV vaccine in the United States. The study established a quantitative research approach, using an online survey design with Qualtrics to collect data from 24 participants. These participants were randomly sampled from Kean University to generalize its findings to the college-age population. The survey measured the participants' vaccination status, age of sexual education, and knowledge of HPV. To assess personal barriers, participants ranked the reasoning behind their vaccination status and the strategies schools can use to bolster vaccination rates. The study indicated a correlation between familial support of the vaccine and vaccination status. When participants were asked to rank their reasoning, both those who received and those who did not receive the vaccine ranked parental influence as a primary factor in vaccination status. When participants were asked to rank popular misconceptions of the vaccine, the two most popular misconceptions were that vaccines are not safe and that HPV is uncommon. The study's limitations include a small sample size and a short study time frame. Since the study had a sample size of 24, with the primary gender being female, it cannot be generalized for the entire student body. Despite the limitations, the study provides insight into the misconceptions and barriers regarding the HPV vaccine within the college-age population. The findings suggest the formidable effects of parental influence and misconceptions on vaccine reception. The significance of the study is the potential to reduce HPV infections and eradicate cervical cancers through increasing HPV vaccinations and educating the population on early HPV screenings. The researcher recommends that institutions utilize the results of the study to explore strategies to improve the sexual education system and educate students and their families on the importance of being vaccinated against HPV.Keywords: HPV, Vaccine, STDs, College Students, United States