Predictors of HPV vaccine intention in nonmonogamous adults

Studies related to human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine acceptance have been conducted among parents of adolescents. With the expanded clinical recommendation of HPV vaccination to adults aged 27 to 45 years, it is unknown what factors are related to intention to receive HPV vaccine.

This study aimed to evaluate predictors of HPV vaccine intention among nonmonogamous adults.

Adults aged 27 to 45 years in nonmonogamous sexual relationships who belonged to the Qualtrics XM panel were invited to complete a survey in May 2022. Intention was defined as an answer "Yes" to the question "If you are not currently vaccinated against HPV, are you willing to be vaccinated against HPV?" Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent predictors of intention.

A total of 343 respondents of 430 who completed the survey were HPV unvaccinated. The unvaccinated respondents were 34.9 years old, 49% female, 23% white, 51% single, 53% with some college education or higher, and 48% Christian. A total of 136 unvaccinated respondents (39.6%) reported intention to receive the HPV vaccine. In the multivariable analysis (n = 343), those responding positively that they were willing to receive the HPV vaccine if it prevented anogenital warts and cancer had several fold higher odds for intention to receive the vaccine (odds ratio [OR] 16.3 [95% CI 4.40-59.0] and OR 4.5 [95% CI 1.21-16.89], respectively). In addition, those willing to advise the HPV vaccine to their partner or friend had more than 10-fold higher odds for intention to receive the HPV vaccine (OR 10.6 [95% CI 3.3-33.5]).

Intention to receive the HPV vaccine was reported by fewer than half of unvaccinated nonmonogamous adults aged 27 to 45 years. Emphasis on the HPV vaccine lowering the risks of anogenital warts and cancer in outreach campaigns and shared decision-making conversations may increase intention to receive the HPV vaccine in this population.