Acceptability of human papillomavirus vaccination among male university students in the United Arab Emirates

Objective: To assess the knowledge about and acceptability of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination among male university students in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Methods: Between June and August 2012 we approached 356 male university students from the UAE and asked them to fill out a 12-item self-administered questionnaire.

Results: Knowledge of HPV was low among the university students who participated (32%). Less than half of the students (46%) indicated they would accept HPV vaccination, and around 30% were unsure of their decision. Safety (68%), protection of their female partner (65%) and doctor's recommendation (64%) were rated as the factors most likely to increase the uptake of HPV vaccination among participating students. The factors rated most likely to stop students from using the vaccine were fear of side effects (85%), absence of clear benefits (38%) and objections from a religious authority (25%). Marital status and sexual activity were associated with greater knowledge of HPV but not with greater acceptance of vaccination among university students in the UAE.

Conclusion: Overall acceptability of and knowledge about HPV infection and vaccination were low in a sample of male university students in the UAE. Marital status and sexual activity are associated with greater knowledge of HPV infection but have no effect on the acceptability of HPV vaccination.