MSU Students' Attitudes and Beliefs towards Vaccinating Youth Against Human Papillomavirus

Presenter Information

Kathryn Kamerud, Minnesota State University, Mankato

Location

CSU 202

Start Date

21-4-2008 1:00 PM

End Date

21-4-2008 2:30 PM

Student's Major

Gender and Women's Studies

Student's College

Social and Behavioral Sciences

Mentor's Name

Cheryl Radeloff

Mentor's Department

Gender and Women's Studies

Mentor's College

Social and Behavioral Sciences

Description

This exploratory research project surveyed Minnesota State University, Mankato students' attitudes regarding Gardasil, a vaccine marketed to prevent certain strains of HPV (Human Papillomavirus). Recently there has been heavy lobbying and public campaigning on behalf of the Gardasil's maker for the mass inoculation of girls aged 11-12. A debate has since surfaced among concerned parents, religious leaders, health providers and policy makers arguing that vaccination would encourage early sexual activity and that the drug is not adequately researched for administration to such a wide population of young people. This survey examined how attitudes about gender and sexuality intersect with public health campaigns and marketing of the vaccine Gardasil. Student opinions regarding the Gardasil vaccine were collected through open and closed ended questionnaires distributed in Minnesota State University, Mankato classrooms in which instructors had given permission for data collection. Additionally, this study examined what factors impacted respondent opinions towards vaccinating youth against HPV, including religious beliefs, knowledge of the vaccine's potential risks and benefits, gender of the targeted population, and age. This study also examined whether respondents would favor vaccinating boys against HPV if this were possible.