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RESEARCH ARTICLE

(Mis)perceptions of HIV and HPV among female college students: a qualitative study

Rachael Hernandez https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4919-5753
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Department of Communication, University of Missouri, 108 Switzler Hall, Columbia, MO 65211, USA. Email: rhnyr@missouri.edu

Sexual Health 17(5) 414-420 https://doi.org/10.1071/SH20054
Submitted: 28 April 2020  Accepted: 27 June 2020   Published: 12 November 2020

Abstract

Background: This study aims to investigate college women’s misperceptions about the human papillomavirus virus (HPV) and the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Methods: Twenty college women from an urban, Midwestern university in the United States were recruited to participate in interviews exploring their beliefs about HIV and HPV. In-depth interviews were conducted and analysed via interpretive methods. Results: The college women in this study often conflated or confused HPV and HIV and revealed misperceptions about the severity and prevalence of HPV and HIV. Conclusion: The results have important implications for understanding college women’s sexual risk behaviour and, as a result, can inform the practices of both healthcare providers and public health professionals.

Keywords: sexual health, sexually transmissible infections (STIs).


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