Keywords

attitudes, cancer, intentions, oncology, religious beliefs

Abstract

Objective:Human papillomavirus (HPV) infects millions of men and women annu-ally and is a substantial contributing factor in many cancers including oral, penile, anal,and cervical. Vaccination can reduce risk but adherence nationwide and, particularlyin highly religious states, is suboptimal. Religious principles of abstinence before mar-riage and total fidelity following marriage may create a belief of protection throughadherence to religious guidelines. However, while one partner may remain monoga-mous, one cannot be assured of their partner's behavior both before and after mar-riage. These misconceptions may create a barrier to religious youth's adherence tovaccine recommendations.Methods:We sampled single young adults, age 18 to 25 years, from a Christianuniversity classified as highly religious and a university not categorized as highlyreligious.Results:Highly religious young adults demonstrated low knowledge of HPV andHPV vaccination. High religious beliefs were associated with lower HPV vaccinationadherence.Conclusions:Understanding the role religious beliefs have on vaccine adherencecan help in the creation of campaigns that specifically address these issues. Cam-paigns to increase vaccination should address misconceptions of religious youth'sfeelings of imperviousness to sexually transmitted diseases.

Document Type

Peer-Reviewed Article

Publication Date

2018

Permanent URL

http://hdl.lib.byu.edu/1877/8773

Publisher

Wiley

Language

English

College

Family, Home, and Social Sciences

Department

Psychology

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