Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine: Attitudes, Behaviors, and Beliefs of At-Risk Women

Cervical cancer is primarily caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) and is the second most common cause of cancer-related mortality among women. Female college students may be at risk for contracting HPV based on their sexual behavior. Following the release of the HPV vaccine, Gardasil®, this cross-sectional study was developed to (1) determine awareness of HPV and Gardasil®, (2) assess attitudes, behaviors, and beliefs about the HPV vaccine, and (3) identify information sources that female college students are accessing. Female college students voluntarily completed a self-administered questionnaire. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlations and paired sample t-tests. Sexually active respondents would recommend the HPV vaccine to others and disagreed that vaccination would encourage risky sexual behavior. Correlations were identified on how self-reported knowledge influenced attitudes, behaviors, and beliefs regarding the HPV vaccine. These findings should assist in developing integrated public health education efforts for HPV vaccination that are targeted towards this at-risk population

Depression in the Elderly: Attitudes of Seniors and Practices of Healthcare Providers

Introduction: Support & Services at Home (SASH) is a model for independent housing for seniors that was developed in 2009 by a partnership of community providers and Cathedral Square Corporation. Results of a 2010 PHQ-9 screen on depression administered to seniors living at Heineberg Senior Housing, a Cathedral Square community, found that 30% of residents had mild depression, 6% moderate depression, and 6% moderate to severe depression. This topic has been targeted by SASH coordinators so that they may provide more support for their residents. Furthermore, a high prevalence of depression amongst the elderly population has been well-documented and this disease is often under-diagnosed, under-treated, or missed altogether.https://scholarworks.uvm.edu/comphp_gallery/1069/thumbnail.jp

College women’s attitudes, behaviors, and beliefs regarding the HPV vaccine: Translation to health education practice

Background: Cervical cancer is primarily caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) and is the second most common cause of cancer-related mortality among women. Purpose: College women may be at risk for contracting HPV based on their sexual behavior. An exploratory analysis was conducted, following the release of the HPV vaccine, Gardasil[R], to (1) determine awareness of HPV and Gardasil[R], (2) assess attitudes, behaviors, and beliefs about the HPV vaccine, and (3) identify information sources that college women are accessing. Methods: A cross-sectional study of college women (n=293) enrolled in a Northeastern university voluntarily completed a self-administered questionnaire regarding knowledge, attitudes, behaviors, and beliefs about HPV and the HPV vaccine. Statistical analyses include descriptive statistics, Pearson\u27s correlations, and paired sample t-tests. Results: Sexually active respondents would recommend the HPV vaccine to others and disagree that HPV vaccination would encourage risky sexual behavior. Yet, need more information is the predominant reason respondents would not get the HPV vaccine if it were offered for free. Discussion: Correlations are identified on how self-reported knowledge influenced attitudes, behaviors, and beliefs regarding the HPV vaccine. Translation to Health Education Practice: These findings should assist health educators in developing integrated public health education efforts for HPV vaccination that are targeted towards this at-risk population. (Contains 2 tables and 1 note.