Microbiology & Infectious Diseases
Open AccessAssociation Between University Student Political Party Alignment and HPV Vaccination Rates, HPV Knowledge, and Risk Factors
Authors: JaNiese Elizabeth Jensen, Linder Hagstrom Wendt, Joseph Spring, Jay Brooks Jackson.
Abstract
Background: To determine the association between university student political party alignment and HPV vaccination rates, HPV knowledge, and risk factors.
Methods: A survey was emailed in April 2024 to 28,095 students enrolled at the University of Iowa. Surveys were entered online and downloaded into a REDCap database for analysis.
Results: The majority (54%) of 1,380 respondents were aligned with the Democratic party, 16% Republican Party, 2.4% Libertarian Party, 23% Independent, and 4.9% other parties. The percentage of female respondents was higher in students aligned with the Democratic voters (81%) compared with Republican (71%) and Independent (68%) voters. The overall HPV vaccination rate for respondents was 82% with HPV vaccination rates highest among females 88% vs 73% males, Democrats 88% vs 75% Republican, 76% Independent and 87% Health Science students. Median age at first HPV vaccine dose was 14. For females 21 or older, 76% of Democrats vs 69% Republican, and 65% Independent had received a Pap smear, p=0.040. 94% of Democrat vs 75% Republican and 83% Independent affiliated students recommended others get the HPV vaccine, p=
Editor-in-Chief
View full editorial board →