Kentucky Prevention Research Center - Supplemental Funding Predicators of HPV Vaccine Acceptance Among Young Rural Women

Hypotheses and Obiective. The objective of this proposed study is to identify behavioral, psychosocial, and socioeconomic predictors of HPV vaccine (Gardasil) acceptance among young women attending a small community college in an under-served rural area (Perry County) in a largely rural state (Kentucky). Several research hypotheses stem from this objective: H1 Several behavioral factors will significantly predict HPV vaccine acceptance (e.g., number of recent sex partners, frequency of engaging in penile-vaginal and other shared sex acts, frequency of condom use, history of abnormal Pap results). H2 Several psychosocial factors will significantly predict HPV vaccine acceptance (e.g., belief that the current male sex partner is having sex with others, perceived risk and severity of HPV infection, beliefs about the safety of the vaccine, beliefs about the process of being vaccinated, beliefs about the effectiveness of the vaccine). H3 Several socioeconomic factors will significantly predict HPV vaccine acceptance (e.g., education level, family and personal income, access to transportation, availability of time to be vaccinated, availability of child care to come to the clinic). In addition, the study will identify the natural history of women's return for the second and third doses of the vaccine. In addition, behavioral, psychosocial, and socioeconomic factors that predict return will be identified.