VACCINES FOR CLASSIC SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES

Viral sexually transmitted disease vaccine acceptability among college students

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Vaccines are an important strategy for the control of infectious diseases; however, they are only successful if accepted. The object of this study was to examine factors that could affect vaccine acceptance among college students for 2 sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

GOAL

The goal was to examine the impact of gender and specific rationales on STD vaccine acceptance using health behavior theories.

STUDY DESIGN

Participants completed a questionnaire regarding attitudes about hypothetical STD vaccines.

RESULTS

Seventy-four percent of each group endorsed acceptance. Factors influencing genital herpes vaccine acceptance were parents' feelings, belief in vaccination, universal recommendation, numerous partners, a belief that acquisition makes finding partners difficult, and low cost. Human papillomavirus vaccine factors were parents' feelings, universal recommendation, numerous partners, safety, and low cost.

CONCLUSION

Our results indicate that most college students would accept STD vaccination. Factors affecting acceptance were similar for both pathogens. The results suggest acceptance will be positively affected by health policies encouraging universal vaccination.

College students' attitudes regarding vaccination to prevent genital herpes

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Vaccines represent an important strategy for the control of infectious diseases but are only effective if accepted by the public. Unique attitudinal issues may affect usage of vaccines to control sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). The object of this study was to examine among college students factors that may influence acceptance of a vaccine against genital herpes.

GOALS

To examine attitudes regarding acceptance of vaccination for genital herpes by college students using aspects of health behavior theories.

STUDY DESIGN

Subjects were recruited from an undergraduate psychology class to complete a questionnaire regarding attitudes and beliefs about receiving a potential genital herpes vaccine.

RESULTS

Of the 518 subjects, 100 would not get the vaccine, 207 would, and 211 were unsure. In the final models, factors that influenced acceptance were low cost and an opinion that the vaccine should be recommended for everyone. Those who were unsure were more likely to be influenced by an opinion that the vaccine would be unsuccessful. While not remaining in the final models, those who believed they were at low risk of acquiring genital herpes were unlikely to accept a genital herpes vaccine.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results indicate that most college students would not reject vaccination, a priori, against genital herpes. Vaccine acceptance may be maximized if vaccine cost is low, the public is educated regarding risk of acquiring genital herpes, and public health policy encourages universal vaccination.

Acceptability of genital herpes immunization. The role of health beliefs and health behaviors

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Little is known about the acceptability of vaccines for prevention of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). The purpose of this study was to examine potential predictors of genital herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) vaccine acceptability.

GOALS

To evaluate the relationship of health beliefs and health behaviors to HSV-2 vaccine acceptability.

STUDY DESIGN

Three hundred twenty-one subjects participating in two phase III clinical trials for an HSV-2 vaccine completed surveys addressing health beliefs, health behaviors, and acceptability of hypothetical HSV-2 vaccines.

RESULTS

Bivariate analyses found that perceived benefits of vaccination, seatbelt use, a healthy diet, and having had cholesterol levels checked were associated with higher acceptability. Perceived limitations of HSV-2 immunization, alcohol use, and exercise were associated with lower acceptability. Multiple regression analysis identified perceived benefits of vaccination, decreased exercise, and lower alcohol use as significant independent predictors of greater HSV-2 vaccine acceptability.

CONCLUSIONS

In groups of high-risk individuals who had completed participation in HSV-2 clinical trials, health beliefs and health behaviors influenced acceptability of hypothetical HSV-2 vaccination. The findings support the need to understand determinants of acceptance of vaccines for HSV-2 and other STDs.

STD vaccines--an overview

OBJECTIVES

To describe the role and current status of vaccine research against sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

METHODS

The available literature was reviewed with particular emphasis on bacterial STDs.

RESULTS

Strategic approaches to possible implementation of STD vaccine programmes were analysed. The status of vaccines against bacterial STDs (syphilis, chancroid, gonorrhoea, and chlamydia) is described in detail.

CONCLUSIONS

The development of safe and effective STD vaccines offers a potent tool for the control of STDs, including direct and indirect prevention of HIV infection. Future priorities should be in the development of vaccines against gonorrhoea, chlamydia, and syphilis. When such vaccines become available, caution should be exercised to ensure that they do not interfere with the effectiveness of other prevention programmes.