Predictors of Intention to Obtain HPV Vaccination among Thai Female College Students

Abstract

This study determined the predictors of intention to obtain HPV vaccination among Thai female college students. The participants of this study were Thai female college students aged 18 - 26 years who were unvaccinated (N = 191). The study used a cross-sectional survey conducted from October to November of 2018. Seven predictors were included in the conceptual framework and analyzed for their relative contribution using multiple regression. The questionnaire reliability was > 0.80 for each construct, except knowledge (0.714). Significant predictors for intention to obtain HPV vaccine were found to be attitude to obtain HPV vaccination (β = 0.31, p < 0.001); perceived behavioral control (β = 0.31, p < 0.001); and perceived susceptibility (β = 0.22, p = 0.005), accounting for 40 % of its variance. Increasing intention to obtain the vaccine of HPV among Thai female college students should focus on enhancing positive attitudes toward obtaining the HPV vaccination, boosting perceived behavioral control, and increasing perceived susceptibility to its infection and diseases.\nHIGHLIGHTS\n\nSignificant factors that influence the intention for receiving HPV vaccine were described\nAttitude, perceived behavioral control, and perceived susceptibility are important factors for HPV vaccination in young Thai females\nThe intention to get vaccination should be focusing on enhancing all these factors\n