Ethnic Differences in Perceived Benefits and Barriers to HPV Vaccine Acceptance: A Qualitative Analysis of Young African American, Haitian, Caucasian, and Latino Men

Purpose: To examine the attitudes toward human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination among young men from African American, Haitian, Caucasian, and Latino backgrounds. Methods: We used in-person surveys at an urban teaching hospital from 2010 to 2012 to examine the racial and ethnic differences in the perceived benefits and barriers to HPV vaccination and vaccine mandate acceptance among 18- to 22-year-old African American, Haitian, Caucasian, and Latino men. Results: A total of 89 men participated (35% African American, 29% Haitian, 20% Latino, and 16% white). Participants from all ethnic groups perceived benefits to HPV vaccination but differed in their perceptions of barriers to vaccination as well as their acceptance of a vaccine mandate. Conclusions: Culturally competent educational messages may overcome ethnic differences in the attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors regarding vaccination among college-aged men from an urban population.