Sociodemographic predictors of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and HPV Vaccine Knowledge and Awareness among Americans Who Use the Internet as Their Primary Source of Health Information

AbstractWe examined differences in HPV and HPV vaccine knowledge among individuals who use the Internet as their main source of health information versus those who do not. Data were obtained from the Health Information National Trends Survey Cycles 3 and 4 (N = 6862), a cross-sectional random-digit-dialed telephone survey of noninstitutionalized adults aged ≥18 years. Multivariate logistic regression models estimated correlates of HPV and HPV vaccine awareness and knowledge among both groups. Approximately 76% of respondents who use the Internet as their main source of health information and 56% of who do not, reported an awareness of HPV and the vaccine (p < .0001). In multivariate analyses, independent of Internet use for health information, females were significantly more likely to be aware of HPV and the vaccine than males. Among those who used the Internet as their primary information source, high school diploma holders were less likely to be aware of HPV and the vaccine, compared with college gradua...