Young Hispanic Men and Human Papillomavirus Vaccination Choices

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Tami Thomas, Emory University; Dionne P. Stephens, Florida International University; Versie Johnson-Mallard, University of South Florida; Melinda K Higgins, Emory University
• Language: English
• Date: 2016-03-01
• Publisher: SAGE Publications
• Publication Version: Author Accepted Manuscript (After Peer Review)
• Copyright Statement: © 2014, © The Author(s) 2014.
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1043659614526759
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: Journal of Transcultural Nursing
• ISSN: 1043-6596
• Volume: 27
• Issue: 2
• Start Page: 103
• End Page: 108
• Keywords: HPV vaccine; Science & Technology; CONDOM USE; Hispanic; MACHISMO; Life Sciences & Biomedicine; GENDER; AFRICAN-AMERICAN; INFECTION; young Hispanic men; Latino; BOYS; HPV VACCINE; Nursing; HEALTH; KNOWLEDGE; AMERICAN COLLEGE-STUDENTS; cancer; masculinity; health education
• Research Categories: Health Sciences, Immunology; Health Sciences, Public Health

Abstract

This exploratory descriptive study examined perceived vulnerabilities to human papillomavirus (HPV) and the correlation to factors influencing vaccine beliefs and vaccine decision making in young Hispanic males attending a large public urban university. Only 24% of participants believed that the HPV vaccine could prevent future problems, and 53% said they would not be vaccinated. The best predictors of HPV vaccination in young Hispanic men were agreement with doctor recommendations and belief in the vaccine’s efficacy. Machismo cultural norms influence young Hispanic men’s HPV-related decision making, their perceptions of the vaccine, and how they attitudinally act on what little HPV information they have access to. This study provides culturally relevant information for the development of targeted health education strategies aimed at increasing HPV vaccination in young Hispanic men.