Designing interventions to motivate young gay men to vaccinate against human papillomavirus (HPV)

Applications are invited for a 3 year PhD studentship at Brighton and Sussex Medical School. The studentship is funded by a University of Brighton award.

The Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a common sexually transmitted disease and is implicated in the development of a significant number of cancers such as cervical, vaginal, oropharyngeal and anal. Rates of HPV associated anal and oropharyngeal cancers are rapidly rising, due to the increase in the type of sexual behaviours implicated in HPV transmission (such as oral and anal sex). Vaccinations have recently been developed to protect against these cancers and since 2008 there has been a national programme in the UK to vaccinate girls aged 12-13 against cervical cancer. Whilst heterosexual men will eventually benefit from the herd immunity afforded by public health campaigns to vaccinate females, gay men will remain unprotected and increasingly at risk. Research has shown that parents are largely unaware of the seriousness of HPV related disease in male offspring and the topic is sensitive given the sexual behaviours responsible for transmission. The aims of the study are to assess whether it is acceptable and feasible to target young gay men with interventions to increase motivation to uptake vaccinations against HPV. The results of this study will have direct implications for health education and health promotion amongst this target group of youths.

Three work packages are proposed: a systematic review of interventions to increase uptake of HPV vaccinations in other target populations ; qualitative formative research through community based focus groups and interviews with members of gay and bisexual youth groups; trial to assess whether factors identified by formative research can increase motivation to vaccinate against HPV. Interventions are likely to be technology based using message framing and underpinned by appropriate psychological theory. Quantitative data will be collected by computer administered self-interview (CASI) and via internet surveys/web links.

The student will gain research skills of research design methodology, systematic reviewing, critical appraisal, data analysis (qualitative and quantitative), dissemination, ethics and governance procedures.

Applicants should possess or expect to be awarded a minimum of a First or Upper Second Class Honours degree (or equivalent) in Psychology or a behavioural science.