Knowledge regarding cervical cancer, human papillomavirus and acceptance of vaccination in Korean adult men

Park, Soojoung; Park, Hyojung

Abstract

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to investigate knowledge of cervical cancer and HPV in adult men and their acceptance of vaccination for HPV.
METHODS
A convenience sample of 229 men between 19 and 39 years of age, responded to self-report questionnaires on knowledge of cervical cancer and HPV, vaccination intention, and general and sexual characteristics. Data were collected during September and October, 2010 and analyzed using t-test, chi2-test, and ANOVA.
RESULTS
Mean scores for knowledge of cervical cancer and HPV were 4.88, and 7.87 respectively. Seventy-five percent stated they intended to be vaccinated. There were significant differences in knowledge of cervical cancer depending on education (F=3.04, p=.030), sexual frequency (F=4.62, p=.011), condom use (t=2.19, p=.029), and frequency of condom use (F=3.28, p=.040), and in knowledge of HPV depending on sexually activity (t=2.35, p=.020), condom use (t=0.03, p=.019), and frequency of condom use (F=4.65, p=.011). There were significant differences in vaccination intention depending on education (chi2=10.47, p=.015), but sexual characteristics were not significant for vaccination intentions.
CONCLUSION
The results indicate a need to consider levels of education and knowledge of cervical cancer and HPV in target populations of men, when planning a cervical cancer prevention education program for men.