(Mis)perceptions of HIV and HPV among female college students: a qualitative study

Background This study aims to investigate college women's misperceptions about the human papillomavirus virus (HPV) and the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

Twenty college women from an urban, Midwestern university in the United States were recruited to participate in interviews exploring their beliefs about HIV and HPV. In-depth interviews were conducted and analysed via interpretive methods.

The college women in this study often conflated or confused HPV and HIV and revealed misperceptions about the severity and prevalence of HPV and HIV.

The results have important implications for understanding college women's sexual risk behaviour and, as a result, can inform the practices of both healthcare providers and public health professionals.