Seung Yeun Lee1,2, Mi Ah Han3, Jong Park3, So Yeon Ryu3

1Department of Public Health, Chosun University Graduate School of Health Science, Gwangju, Korea 2Department of Laboratory Medicine, Singa Hospital, Gwangju, Korea 3Department of Preventive Medicine, Chosun University School of Medicine, Gwangju, Korea


Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common viral infection of the reproductive tract and can cause cervical cancers. The purpose of this study was to investigate HPV vaccination status and related factors among male and female college students.
Methods: The study subjects were 489 students conveniently sampled from Seoyeong University located in Gwangju. General characteristics, HPV vaccination status and knowledge of cervical cancer and HPV infection were collected by self- administered questionnaires between August 25 and September 19. The collected data were analyzed by chi-square tests, t-tests and multiple logistic regression analyses.
Results: Of 328 female students, 22.9% were vaccinated. But none of the male students (n=161) were vaccinated. Vaccination intention of male and female students were 18.6% and 55.5%, respectively. In multiple logistic regression analysis, adjusted odds ratio (aOR) for HPV vaccination were significantly high in female subjects with high allowance (aOR=2.23, 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.13-4.42) or high knowledge score of cervical cancer (OR=1.10, 95% CI=1.02-1.16). Intention of HPV vaccination were associated with participation in school clubs, chronic disease and knowledge score of cervical cancer in male students. In female students, school record, family history, self-rated health and knowledge score of cervical cancer were associated with intention of vaccination.
Conclusions: HPV vaccination rate was found to be low. Prevention efforts considering these results might be helpful in increasing HPV vaccination rate and reducing HPV-associated health risks.
Korean J Health Promot 2015;15(3):141-149

Keywords: Awareness, Human papillomavirus, Uterine cervical neoplasms, Vaccination