Communication Issues Associated with the Likelihood of HPV Vaccine Acceptance among College Students
Loading...
No Access Until
Permanent Link(s)
Other Titles
Authors
Abstract
Background. The purpose of this honors thesis is to examine the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of a key target audience for the HPV vaccine ? college undergraduates (particularly female) ? to determine what factors may be influencing its acceptance of the HPV vaccine. This study is based on the framework of Elaboration Parallel Processing Model and also looks into other risk perception issues such as optimistic bias.
Methods. 269 Cornell undergraduates returned a survey regarding sexual history, sexual health practices, understanding of the HPV vaccine, and attitudes toward the HPV vaccine. All participants were assured anonymity, and no identifying information was connected to their survey responses. The survey used a modified risk diagnostic scale in order to measure mindsets toward the HPV vaccine. The survey also used measures for optimistic bias and knowledge.
Results. Among key findings was a significant relationship between optimistic bias, perceived susceptibility, and perceived severity. Specifically, as optimistic bias increases, perceived susceptibility and perceived severity decrease. On the other hand, discriminating value scores increase as optimistic bias increases. General knowledge of HPV showed significant positive correlations with perceived severity, response-efficacy, self-efficacy, and perceived susceptibility. Exploratory analysis examined other factors for statistical significance.
Conclusions. The use of the risk diagnostic scale appears useful for understanding issues involved in acceptance and receiving of the HPV vaccine. Furthermore, by looking into key attributes such as knowledge, discriminating value, optimistic bias, and vaccine rates, the investigation was able to come up with concrete results that may be of use to health communicators and practitioners.
Journal / Series
Volume & Issue
Description
Sponsorship
Date Issued
2008-07-03T18:02:34Z
Publisher
Keywords
Location
Effective Date
Expiration Date
Sector
Employer
Union
Union Local
NAICS
Number of Workers
Committee Chair
Committee Co-Chair
Committee Member
Degree Discipline
Degree Name
Degree Level
Related Version
Related DOI
Related To
Related Part
Based on Related Item
Has Other Format(s)
Part of Related Item
Related To
Related Publication(s)
Link(s) to Related Publication(s)
References
Link(s) to Reference(s)
Previously Published As
Government Document
ISBN
ISMN
ISSN
Other Identifiers
Rights
Rights URI
Types
dissertation or thesis