Table 2.
Attitudes, knowledge, and perceptions about HPV and the HPV vaccine by nationality
| Variables/items | Total (n = 590) | Korean (n = 273) | Chinese (n = 317) | Z(p) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mean ± SD | ||||
| Positive attitudes toward the HPV vaccine (total) (min–max: 3–15) | 10.28 ± 1.84 | 10.26 ± 1.87 | 10.29 ± 1.82 | − 0.08 (0.935) |
| The vaccine would effectively prevent me from getting STI | 3.42 ± 0.71 | 3.45 ± 0.71 | 3.39 ± 0.71 | − 1.21 (0.225) |
| The vaccine would effectively prevent me from getting cervical cancer | 3.49 ± 0.69 | 3.53 ± 0.70 | 3.46 ± 0.68 | − 1.47 (0.141) |
| I trust the vaccine safety | 3.37 ± 0.77 | 3.27 ± 0.74 | 3.45 ± 0.79 | − 2.92 (0.004) |
| HPV knowledge (total) (min–max: 0–8) | 1.90 ± 1.93 | 1.92 ± 1.98 | 1.89 ± 1.89 | − 0.02 (0.987) |
| HPV has no symptoms | 0.23 ± 0.42 | 0.22 ± 0.41 | 0.25 ± 0.43 | − 0.95 (0.344) |
| HPV could disappear without treatment | 0.10 ± 0.30 | 0.12 ± 0.33 | 0.08 ± 0.27 | − 1.83 (0.067) |
| Vaccination can prevent HPV infection | 0.48 ± 0.50 | 0.45 ± 0.50 | 0.50 ± 0.50 | − 1.19 (0.236) |
| Using a condom can absolutely prevent HPV infection | 0.29 ± 0.46 | 0.32 ± 0.47 | 0.27 ± 0.45 | − 1.08 (0.281) |
| HPV only affects women | 0.32 ± 0.47 | 0.34 ± 0.47 | 0.30 ± 0.46 | − 0.89 (0.375) |
| HPV is affected by coitus | 0.30 ± 0.46 | 0.33 ± 0.47 | 0.28 ± 0.45 | − 1.25 (0.210) |
| Genital warts induce cervical cancer. | 0.05 ± 0.22 | 0.05 ± 0.21 | 0.06 ± 0.23 | − 0.50 (0.619) |
| HPV could be completely treated with medication and surgical procedures | 0.12 ± 0.32 | 0.10 ± 0.29 | 0.14 ± 0.34 | − 1.52 (0.128) |
| Perceptions of HPV | ||||
| Subtotal score of seriousness (min–max: 2–10) | 7.06 ± 1.43 | 7.01 ± 1.44 | 7.11 ± 1.42 | − 1.65 (0.100) |
| Cervical cancer caused by HPV is a serious health problem | 3.55 ± 0.77 | 3.54 ± 0.76 | 3.56 ± 0.78 | − 1.23 (0.221) |
| Genital warts caused by HPV is a serious health problem | 3.51 ± 0.76 | 3.47 ± 0.75 | 3.55 ± 0.76 | − 1.86 (0.063) |
| Subtotal score of susceptibility (min–max: 2–10) | 5.91 ± 1.70 | 5.94 ± 1.65 | 5.89 ± 1.75 | − 0.18 (0.856) |
| I would be susceptible to getting cervical cancer because of HPV ara> | 2.99 ± 0.91 | 3.00 ± 0.86 | 2.98 ± 0.94 | − 0.40 (0.693) |
| I would be susceptible to getting genital warts because of HPV | 2.92 ± 0.89 | 2.94 ± 0.85 | 2.91 ± 0.93 | 0.00 (0.999) |
| Subtotal score of negative emotions (min–max: 2–10) | 6.14 ± 1.64 | 6.02 ± 1.57 | 6.24 ± 1.70 | − 1.75 (0.081) |
| I am anxious about getting HPV infection | 2.96 ± 0.99 | 2.88 ± 0.96 | 3.04 ± 1.01 | − 1.98 (0.048) |
| It would be shameful to get HPV infection | 3.17 ± 0.94 | 3.14 ± 0.89 | 3.20 ± 0.98 | − 1.32 (0.188) |
N=590. STI, Sexually transmitted infection; HPV, Human papillomavirus