Korean college students' attitudes and health behaviour regarding human papillomavirus vaccination

Background: Cervical cancer is the seventh most common cancer in Korean women. Human papillomavirus infection is the major reason for cervical cancer, which can be prevented by vaccination. Aim: The purpose of study was to investigate factors affecting college students' human papilloma vaccination behaviour. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted. The participants comprised 381 male and 397 female college students. We measured knowledge related to the human papillomavirus, infection prevention behaviour, and the theory of planned behaviour. Data were analysed using Pearson's correlations and a hierarchical logistic regression. Findings: Women showed higher scores (mean = 2.56, SD = .41) in infection prevention behaviour than men (mean = 2.49, SD = .47). Self-efficacy and subjective norm, or social pressure and opinions that influence behaviour, positively affected vaccination intentions, whereas positive vaccination attitudes reduced behaviour. Discussion: Vaccination intentions were higher when attitude, self-efficacy, and subjective norm were also high. Self-efficacy and subjective norm resulted in increased vaccination behaviour; however, positive vaccination attitudes resulted in decreased vaccination behaviour in college students. Conclusion: Self-efficacy and subjective norm led to increased HPV vaccination behaviour, while positive attitude toward HPV vaccination negatively influenced vaccination behaviour. Self-efficacy is an individual aspect, while attitude and subjective norm relate to culture. Therefore, promoting college students' self-efficacy regarding vaccination is the most effective way to increase their HPV vaccination behaviour. (C) 2020 Australian College of Nursing Ltd. Published by Elsevier Ltd.