HPV Knowledge and Education: Report on Vaccination Data From a National Health Trends Survey

Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection worldwide. Several government agencies are working to achieve the Healthy People 2020 goal of reaching 80% HPV vaccination rates for adolescent males and females in the United States.

Objectives: The aim of this article is to identify trends in the knowledge of the U.S. population as related to the understanding of HPV, areas for nurse–patient education, and methods used in other countries that have achieved 80% HPV vaccination rates.

Methods: A cross-sectional analysis of Health Information National Trends Survey questions related to HPV infections and the HPV vaccine from 2005–2018 was completed to determine the knowledge of HPV infections and the HPV vaccine.

Findings: There has been little to no growth in HPV knowledge in the general population in the United States from 2005 to 2018. Additional research is needed to address the ongoing barriers to increasing knowledge of HPV vaccination.