Northwest UniversityBuntain School of NursingNursing Research 4562December 12, 2013

Introduction/Background There has been a lack of knowledge in

college-aged females regarding the Human Papillomavirus (HPV).

Purpose To assess the knowledge that female

dormitory residents at small Christian University have about HPV.

Research Question Is there a knowledge deficit about HPV

for female students living in the dorms?

Literature Review “Even a basic understanding of HPV risk

factors, methods of its transmission, and the virus’ role in cervical cancer was low to nonexistent in populations near and far” (Sandfort & Pleasant, 2009).

In a study done by Kispert & McGrath, “99.7% of women diagnosed with cervical cancer developed the cancer from HPV, and 44.8% of HPV was found in women between the ages of 20-24 years old” (2009).

Instruments Questionnaire

› Age› Previous Education› Knowledge

› Source of Knowledge

› Transmission › Who is

susceptible› Misconceptions…

• This research study was approved by the NU IRB

Survey

Procedures Non-experimental, non-probability

convenience sample was taken Cross-sectional, within subjects Questionnaire distributed in university

women’s dormitory halls

Sample Population represented: 312 women

residing in dormitory halls at small Christian college in suburb of Seattle

150 questionnaires distributed, 33 returned

Demographics 18-24 year old females Previous Education: High-school

Diploma› Homeschooled, Private, Public, Charter,

etc.

Demographics

/Doct

or

Frien

ds

Health

Class

Own pers

onal

Paren

tsSc

hool TV

Vacci

natio

n048

1216

5

17

2

15

611 11

61

Count of how/where did you learn?

Combination Home Private Public

7

35

18

Count of Previous Education

Results

618%

2782%

Do you know what HPV is?

NY

1; 3%

23; 70%

9; 27%

Who is susceptible?

/Bothfemale

Results

Not likely Somewhat likely

Likely Very Likely No Response0

5

10

15

78

13

4 1

"Having HPV means I would always have to take medi-

cation"Total

Not Likely Somewhat Likely Likely Very Likely /0

2

4

6

8

10

12

3

1110

8

1

"HPV causes cervical cancer"

Results

Not Likely Somewhat Likely Likely Very Likely No Response02468

10121416

6

1412

1 1

"Having HPV would mean that I would always need medical treatment"

Not Likely Somewhat Likely

Likely Very Likely No Response02468

10121416

6

1412

1 1

"Having HPV would mean that I would always need medical treatment"

Results

Not Likely Somewhat Likely

Likely Very Likely No Response02468

101214 13

9

46

1

"If I had HPV, it would last my entire life"

Not Likely Somewhat Likely Likely No Response0

4

8

12

16

20 18

10

41

"If I had HPV, there would be nothing I could do about it"

Results

Not Likely Somewhat Likely Likely Very Likely No Response02468

10121416

6

15

8

32

"If I had HPV, it could be cured"

Not Likely Somewhat Likely

Likely Very Likely No Response02468

101214

8

13

56

1

"I could die from HPV"

Limitations Reliance on self-reporting

› Extraneous variables in style of response Factors affecting honesty of responses:

› Sensitive topic› Stigmas

Limited sample size

Implications for Nursing Findings indicate a need for education

about HPV among the female university students

In the future, HPV education by nurses and other medical professionals should specifically target 18-24 year old female college students.

Questions?

Thank you’s… Professor Barsness Northwest

University IRB Sarah Jobson

Dormitory RA’s Participants

References

Caron, R., Kispert, E., & McGrath, R. (2009). Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine: attitudes, behaviors, and beliefs of at-risk women. Internet Journal Of Health, 9(2).

Sandfort, J., & Pleasant, A. (2009). Knowledge, attitudes, and informational behaviors of college students in regard to the human papillomavirus. Journal of American College Health, 58(2), 141-149. doi: http://dx.doi.org.nu.idm.oclc.org/10.1080/07448480903221368