A 10-year systematic review of theory-driven approaches to increasing catch-up HPV vaccination rates among young adult males in colleges/university settings

Objective: To describe rates and identify factors associated with human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination among young adult males in college/university settings. Methods: Study was reported according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Five electronic databases were searched for empirical studies published between 2009 and 2019 and focused on predictors for HPV vaccine uptake. Studies’ methodological quality scores ranged between 12 and 23 points. Results: Five hundred and ninety eight titles/abstracts and 154 full-text articles were screened. Eighteen studies were included for final analysis. Results depicted participants’ attitude, perceived susceptibility, severity, benefits, and barriers in receiving HPV vaccine. Many participants did not perceive themselves to be susceptible to HPV infection, and barriers to receiving HPV vaccine outweighed benefits. HPV knowledge and vaccination rates were relatively low among respondents. Conclusion: Prevention campaigns that increase knowledge, promote positive attitudes, change perception of susceptibility, and address barriers may result in higher HPV vaccination rates among males in college/university settings.