Gardasil for guys: Correlates of intent to be vaccinated

Background: The lack of post Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approval acceptance studies among males aged 18-26 years is problematic relative to the design of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine promotion programs designed to target males. Accordingly this study identified correlates of intention to receive the HPV vaccine among young men. Methods: Young men (n= 150) were recruited from two university campuses in the southern United States. Men completed an audio computer-assisted self administered interview assessing their beliefs, attitudes, and intent to receive the vaccine, newly approved for males. Bivariate associations between various measures and men's intent to be vaccinated in the next 12 months were assessed using t-tests. Measures achieving bivariate significance were entered into a regression model. Results: In the regression model, those reporting oral-genital sex were more likely to have positive intent (β = 0.32, t= 4.20, P= 0.0001). Those classified as having a relatively higher perceived susceptibility to HPV were more likely to have positive intent (β = 0.19, t= 2.53, P= 0.013). Finally, intent was associated with agreement/disagreement to the statement that " the HPV vaccine is so new that I should wait awhile before deciding about getting vaccinated" (β = 0.19, t= 2.49, P= 0.014). Those not agreeing were more likely to have positive intent. Conclusion: Young men who have had oral-genital sex and those with greater perceptions of susceptibility to HPV may have greater intent to receive the HPV vaccine. A barrier reducing their intention for vaccination may be the relatively new introduction of this vaccine to the male population.