Gender disparities in completed HPV vaccinations among U.S. college students
Women and
Trans/Gender Non-conforming individuals have a significantly higher rate of
completed HPV vaccines at
54% each, compared to
39% of
men. This indicates a notable gender disparity in vaccination completion rates, highlighting the effectiveness of public health efforts among these groups.
Unawareness of HPV vaccination status prevalent among men
34% of
men report being unaware of their HPV vaccination status, the highest among all groups surveyed. In contrast,
25% of
women and
29% of
Trans/Gender Non-conforming individuals also report uncertainty. This suggests a significant information gap that could affect
health outcomes.
Lower HPV vaccine initiation among men and trans/gender non-conforming students
Only
3% of
men and
5% of
Trans/Gender Non-conforming individuals have started but not completed the HPV vaccine series, compared to
4% of
women. These figures reveal lower rates of vaccine initiation among these groups, indicating potential barriers to access or awareness.
Least vaccinated group: Trans/Gender Non-conforming students
The
Trans/Gender Non-conforming group has the lowest percentage of individuals who have not received the HPV vaccine at
12%, which is lower than both
men (
24%) and
women (
17%). This suggests a higher level of vaccine acceptance or uptake within the trans/gender non-conforming community.
Comparative analysis of HPV vaccine completion rates
Comparing
completed HPV vaccine rates, a stark contrast emerges between genders. While over half of
women and
Trans/Gender Non-conforming students have completed the series, less than two-fifths of
men have done so. This discrepancy underscores the need for targeted interventions to increase vaccine uptake among men.
HPV vaccination uncertainty: A common trend across genders
A considerable proportion of students across all gender identities do not know their HPV vaccination status, with rates ranging from
25% to
34%. This widespread uncertainty points to a broader issue of communication and education regarding HPV vaccination.