HPV and HPV Vaccine Awareness Among African Americans in the Black Belt Region of Alabama.

This study aims to examine the factors associated with the level of HPV infection and HPV vaccine awareness among rural African Americans living in the Black Belt region of Alabama. A cross-sectional survey on cancer screening and health behaviors was conducted in the Black Belt region of Alabama. Adults (18 years or older) recruited through convenience sampling completed the self-administered survey. Binary logistic regressions were conducted to identify factors associated with HPV infection and HPV vaccine awareness among African American participants. Slightly more than half of the participants were aware of HPV (62.5%) and HPV vaccine (62.1%). Married or partnered participants had lower awareness of HPV or HPV vaccine. Family cancer history and self-reported health status were positively associated with both HPV and HPV vaccine awareness. In addition, employment was positively associated with HPV awareness, and participation in social groups was positively associated with HPV vaccine awareness. Tailored educational interventions that consider our findings might increase HPV and HPV vaccine awareness and contribute to better vaccine uptakes.

HPV Vaccination among College Students in the South: The Role of HPV Knowledge on Vaccine Initiation and Completion.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to examine factors related to HPV vaccination initiation and completion, especially the role of health knowledge, among college students in a southern state. METHODS: College students ages 17-45 (n=1,708) were analyzed in this study. Primary outcomes were HPV vaccine series initiation and completion; binary logistic regressions were performed to identify associated factors. RESULTS: Among total participants, students who were aware that HPV could be transmitted even without symptoms were less likely to initiate HPV vaccination. However, among students who have initiated the vaccine series, those who were aware that HPV could be transmitted without symptoms and that men should receive the HPV vaccine were more likely to complete the vaccine series. Other significant variables included age, gender, race, and international student status. CONCLUSION: Future studies are needed to investigate students' concerns regarding initiating HPV vaccination and how to effectively motivate students to initiate and complete the HPV vaccine series.

Recommending HPV vaccination at age 9 to reduce health disparities: Communication challenges and opportunities.

The HPV vaccine is approved for children as young as age nine and recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices routinely for ages 11-12. However, many U.S. adolescents do not complete the vaccine series until middle to late adolescence, if at all, leaving them vulnerable to future HPV infection and attributable cancers. Health disparities exist for both vaccination coverage and most HPV-associated cancers. A strategy for improving vaccination rates for all populations and reducing disparate gaps in protection and health disparities from HPV-associated cancers is to shift the routine recommendation to an earlier age, that is, to start the vaccine series at age nine instead of ages 11-12. Challenges, opportunities, and suggestions for communicating this recommendation are outlined alongside considerations of social determinants of health.

Food Insecurity Screening of Hospitalized Patients: A Descriptive Analysis.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to describe an advocacy effort to implement a food insecurity (FI) screening during hospital admission and describe characteristics of hospitalized patients with household FI. METHODS: This is a descriptive study after the implementation of FI screening at a quaternary-care children's hospital in the Southeastern United States between August 2020 and April 2021. The Hunger Vital Sign, a 2-question screening tool for FI, was added to the intake questionnaire performed on inpatient admissions. A positive screen triggered a social work consult to connect patients with resources. Chart review and statistical analyses were performed on patients with household FI. RESULTS: There were 7751 hospital admissions during the study period, of which 4777 (61.6%) had an FI screen completed. Among those with a completed screen, 233 patients (4.9%) were positive for household FI. Patients with household FI were more likely to be Black (P <.001) and have Medicaid (P <.001). Social work documented care specific to FI in 125 of the 233 (56%) FI patients, of which 39 (31%) were not enrolled in the Women, Infants, and Children Program/Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. CONCLUSIONS: This initiative highlights hospitalization as an opportunity to screen for FI using a multidisciplinary approach. Our findings underscore the importance of identifying FI with the goal of reducing FI and mitigating the adverse effects of FI on child health outcomes.

Addressing Barriers to Primary Care Screening and Referral to Prevention for Youth Risky Health Behaviors: Evidence Regarding Potential Cost-Savings and Provider Concerns.

Despite growing evidence and support for co-locating behavioral services in primary care to prevent risky health behaviors, implementation of these services has been limited due to a lack of reimbursement for services and negative perceptions among providers. We investigated potential to overcome these barriers based on new developments in healthcare funding and screening and referral to prevention (SRP) in primary care based on the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR), which could guide future SRP implementation strategies. To investigate the economic need for healthcare-based SRP, we quantified hospital charges to healthcare payors for services arising from adolescent risky behaviors (e.g., substance use, risky sex). Annual North Carolina (NC) hospital charges for these services exceeded $327 M (2019 dollars), suggesting high potential for cost savings if SRP can curb hospital services associated with risky behaviors. To investigate provider barriers and facilitators, we surveyed 151 NC pediatricians and 230 NC family therapists about their attitudes regarding a recently developed well-child visit SRP with family-based prevention. Both sets of professionals reported widespread need for and interest in the SRP but cited barriers of lack of reimbursement, training, and referrals to/from each other. Physicians, but not family therapists, reported concerns with poor patient or parent compliance. Many barriers could be resolved by co-locating family therapists in pediatric clinics to conduct well-child SRP. Our results support further research to develop business models for payor-funded SRP and CFIR-guided research to develop implementation strategies for primary care SRP to prevent adolescent risky health behaviors.

Reducing Poverty-Related Disparities in Cervical Cancer: The Role of HPV Vaccination.

BACKGROUND: Near elimination of cervical cancer in the United States is possible in coming decades, yet inequities will delay this achievement for some populations. We sought to explore the effects of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination on disparities in cervical cancer incidence between high- and low-poverty U.S. counties. METHODS: We calibrated a dynamic simulation model of HPV infection to reflect average counties in the highest and lowest quartile of poverty (percent of population below federal poverty level), incorporating data on HPV prevalence, cervical cancer screening, and HPV vaccination. We projected cervical cancer incidence through 2070, estimated absolute and relative disparities in incident cervical cancer for high- versus low-poverty counties, and compared incidence with the near-elimination target (4 cases/100,000 women annually). RESULTS: We estimated that, on average, low-poverty counties will achieve near-elimination targets 14 years earlier than high-poverty counties (2029 vs. 2043). Absolute disparities by county poverty will decrease, but relative differences are estimated to increase. We estimate 21,604 cumulative excess cervical cancer cases in high-poverty counties over the next 50 years. Increasing HPV vaccine coverage nationally to the Healthy People 2020 goal (80%) would reduce excess cancer cases, but not alter estimated time to reach the near-elimination threshold. CONCLUSIONS: High-poverty U.S. counties will likely be delayed in achieving near-elimination targets for cervical cancer and as a result will experience thousands of potentially preventable cancers. IMPACT: Alongside vaccination efforts, it is important to address the role of social determinants and health care access in driving persistent inequities by area poverty.

Enrolling a rural community pharmacy as a Vaccines for Children provider to increase HPV vaccination: a feasibility study.

BACKGROUND: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the U.S. with over 80 million infected individuals. High-risk strains are associated with 6 different cancers. Although infection is preventable, U.S. vaccination rates remain suboptimal and there are noted disparities between urban and rural communities due to economic barriers, lack of access, and low awareness and education. METHODS: The current pilot study sought to overcome these barriers through an interprofessional collaborative enrolling a community pharmacy in a rural, medically underserved Alabama county as a Vaccines for Children (VFC) provider to provide free vaccines to eligible adolescents. Program evaluation was conducted to determine the intervention's feasibility. Potential efficacy was assessed by analyzing county-level HPV vaccination uptake and completion rates using state immunization registry data. RESULTS: Over the 8-month study, 166 total vaccines were administered to 89 adolescents ages 10-18, including 55 doses of HPV vaccine, 53 doses of Tdap vaccine, 45 doses of meningococcal vaccine, and 13 doses of influenza vaccine. Among these adolescents, mean age was 12.6 years old, and 64 (71.9%) were VFC patients. The pharmacy recorded an increase in total vaccine administration of 158.8%, an increase in prescription revenue of 34.8%, and an increase in total revenue by 24.4% during the course of the study, compared to the previous year. CONCLUSIONS: Findings from the current work demonstrate the potential of this strategy and can serve as a blueprint for statewide and national dissemination and implementation to ultimately increase access to vaccination services, increase vaccination rates, and reduce urban-rural vaccine disparities.

Non-invasive bladder function measures in healthy, asymptomatic female children and adolescents: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) are common in children and adolescents. Non-invasive tests evaluating bladder function are generally preferred over invasive tests, yet few studies have explored the range of normative values for these tests in healthy, asymptomatic children. OBJECTIVE: To define normative reference ranges for non-invasive tests of bladder function in healthy, asymptomatic girls and adolescents. STUDY DESIGN: A comprehensive search strategy was performed in seven electronic databases through October 2019. English-language studies reporting data on voiding frequency, voided and postvoid residual volumes (PVR) and uroflowmetry results in healthy, asymptomatic girls (mean age ≥ 5 years) were included. Two independent reviewers performed study review, data extraction, and quality assessment. Overall mean estimates and 95% confidence intervals for each bladder function parameter were calculated using random effects models, and 95% normative reference values were estimated. RESULTS: Ten studies met eligibility criteria for the meta-analysis (n = 2143 girls, age range: 3-18). Mean estimates of maximum voided volume and PVR were 233.4 ml (95% CI 204.3-262.6; n = 1 study) and 8.6 ml (95% CI 4.8-12.4; n = 2 studies) respectively. Pooled mean estimates for uroflowmetry parameters were: 21.5 ml/s (95% CI 20.5-2.5) for maximum flow rate (n = 6 studies), 12.5 ml/s (95% CI 11.2-13.8) for mean flow rate (n = 6 studies), 6.8 s (95% CI 4.4-9.3) for time to maximum flow (n = 3 studies), 15.7 s (95% CI 13.0-18.5) for flow time (n = 3 studies), and 198.7 ml (95% CI 154.2-234.2) for voided volume (n = 9 studies). No studies reported estimates of voiding frequency. Between-study heterogeneity was high (89.0-99.6%). CONCLUSIONS: Although we were able to calculate pooled mean estimates for several parameters, the small number of included studies and the wide age ranges of participants preclude generalization of reference values to all healthy girls. Further research is needed to determine normative reference values within specific age groups.

Evaluation of a Serious Video Game to Facilitate Conversations About Human Papillomavirus Vaccination for Preteens: Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: In the United States, the most common sexually transmitted infection, human papillomavirus (HPV), causes genital warts and is associated with an estimated 33,700 newly diagnosed cancer cases annually. HPV vaccination, especially for preteens aged 11 to 12 years, is effective in preventing the acquisition of HPV and HPV-associated cancers. However, as of 2018, completion of the 2- or 3-dose HPV vaccination series increased only from 48.6% to 51.1% in teens aged 13 to 17 years, and this increase was observed only in boys. By comparison, 88.7% of teens had more than one dose of the recommended vaccine against tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis (Tdap), and 85.1% of teens had more than one dose of meningococcal vaccine. Immunizations for Tdap, meningococcal disease, and HPV can occur at the same clinical visit but often do not. OBJECTIVE: Vaccination against HPV is recommended for routine use in those aged 11 to 12 years in the United States, yet it is underutilized. We aimed to develop an educational video game to engage preteens in the decision to vaccinate. METHODS: Land of Secret Gardens is a metaphor for protecting seedlings (body) with a potion (vaccine). We screened 131 dyads of parents and preteens from 18 primary practices in North Carolina who had not initiated HPV vaccination. We measured vaccination intentions, story immersion, and game play and documented HPV vaccination rates. A total of 55 dyads were enrolled, and we randomly assigned 28 (21 completed) to play the game and 27 (26 completed) to the comparison group. RESULTS: In total, 18 preteens reported playing the game. The vaccination self-efficacy score was higher in the comparison group than the intervention group (1.65 vs 1.45; P=.05). The overall mean decisional balance score trended toward greater support of vaccination, although differences between the groups were not significant.. Vaccine initiation and completion rates were higher in the intervention group (22% vs 15%; P=.31) than in the comparison group (9% vs 2%; P=.10), although the difference was not significant. CONCLUSIONS: Video games help preteens in the decision to pursue HPV vaccination. A serious video game on HPV vaccination is acceptable to parents and preteens and can be played as intended. Gamification is effective in increasing preteen interest in HPV vaccination, as game features support decision making for HPV vaccination. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04627298; https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04627298.

Cost-effectiveness of Interventions to Increase HPV Vaccine Uptake.

OBJECTIVES: We sought to prioritize interventions for increasing human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination coverage based on cost-effectiveness from a US state perspective to inform decisions by policy makers. METHODS: We developed a dynamic simulation model of HPV transmission and progression scaled to a medium-sized US state (5 million individuals). We modeled outcomes over 50 years comparing no intervention to a one-year implementation of centralized reminder and recall for HPV vaccination, school-located HPV vaccination, or quality improvement (QI) visits to primary care clinics. We used probabilistic sensitivity analysis to assess a range of plausible outcomes associated with each intervention. Cost-effectiveness was evaluated relative to a conservative willingness-to-pay threshold; $50 000 per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) . RESULTS: All interventions were cost-effective, relative to no intervention. QI visits had the lowest cost and cost per QALY gained ($1538 versus no intervention). Statewide implementation of centralized reminder and recall cost $28 289 per QALY gained versus QI visits. School-located vaccination had the highest cost but was cost-effective at $18 337 per QALY gained versus QI visits. Scaling to the US population, interventions could avert 3000 to 14 000 future HPV cancers. When varying intervention cost and impact over feasible ranges, interventions were typically preferred to no intervention, but cost-effectiveness varied between intervention strategies. CONCLUSIONS: Three interventions for increasing HPV vaccine coverage were cost-effective and offered substantial health benefits. Policy makers seeking to increase HPV vaccination should, at minimum, dedicate additional funding for QI visits, which are consistently effective at low cost and may additionally consider more resource-intensive interventions (reminder and recall or school-located vaccination).

Identifying Missed Opportunities for Human Immunodeficiency Virus Pre-exposure Prophylaxis During Preventive Care and Reproductive Visits in Adolescents in the Deep South.

BACKGROUND: Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for individuals at significant risk for Human Immunodeficiency Virus acquisition is approved for individuals weighing at least 35 kg by the Food and Drug Administration. This cross-sectional study analyzed indications for PrEP in a clinical setting. METHODS: There were 429 charts reviewed from adolescents between 15 and 21 years old seen for preventive care visits at an adolescent primary care center in the Deep South during a 1-year timeframe. Univariate and multivariable regression analyses were completed to identify factors associated with indications for PrEP. RESULTS: Forty-four percent of 429 adolescents (between 15 and 21 years) had a PrEP indication; 77% were women and 95% heterosexual. Significant factors associated with an indication for PrEP included living with a nonparent or nonrelative and polysubstance use. No adolescents with an indication for PrEP were prescribed PrEP. A sensitivity analysis comparing indications for PrEP between the 2014 and 2017 The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Guidelines revealed no significant differences in percent with an indication (44.5% vs. 42.8%) or factors associated with indications. CONCLUSIONS: Pre-exposure prophylaxis as a biomedical tool for adolescents and young adults (AYAs) may remain underutilized. A key factor in improving utilization involves providers being able to recognize AYAs who may have an indication for PrEP with a specific focus on those AYAs who do not live in households with parents or a surrogate family member and those who are polysubstance users.

Toward Optimal Communication About HPV Vaccination for Preteens and Their Parents: Evaluation of an Online Training for Pediatric and Family Medicine Health Care Providers.

OBJECTIVE: Health care provider recommendation is a key determinant of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination. We developed an online training program for providers that addressed vaccine guidelines, hesitancy to strongly recommend the vaccine, and reluctance to discuss HPV infection as a sexually transmitted infection. DESIGN: Single-group evaluation with 3 waves. Providers completed a 29-item electronic survey with closed and open-ended response options after course completion. SETTING: Pediatric and family medicine practices in North Carolina. PARTICIPANTS: Prescribing clinicians (MD, DO, family nurse practitioner, physician assistant) who serve preteens aged 11 to 12 years. In wave 3, we expanded our communities to include nursing and medical staff. INTERVENTION: An asynchronous online course to promote preteen HPV vaccination. Topics included HPV epidemiology, vaccine recommendations from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), preteen-provider-parent communication, topics about hesitancy to seek vaccination, subjects related to sexual health, and practice-level strategies to increase vaccination rates. The course, approved for 12 CME and CNE credits, was live for 4 weeks and available on-demand for 3 additional months. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Provider-reported change in vaccine communication, perceptions of course content in improving practice, and satisfaction with materials. RESULTS: A total of 113 providers from 25 practices enrolled in the course and 69 (61%) completed an evaluation. Providers spent an average of 6.3 hours on the course and rated the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)-ACIP Web site and multiple resources on hesitancy and communication about sexually transmitted infection vaccines most highly of all materials across the 3 waves. Almost all (96%) agreed the course will improve their practice. About half of all participants said they were either "much more likely" (28%) or "more likely" (19%) to recommend the vaccine after course participation. CONCLUSIONS: An online format offers a highly adaptable and acceptable educational tool that promotes interpersonal communication and practice-related changes known to improve providers' vaccine uptake by their patients.

A systematic literature review to examine the potential for social media to impact HPV vaccine uptake and awareness, knowledge, and attitudes about HPV and HPV vaccination.

This article summarizes the findings from a systematic literature review to examine how social media may impact HPV vaccine uptake and HPV and HPV vaccine related awareness, knowledge, and attitudes. Study inclusion criteria was original data collection of at least one data point about social media and HPV and/or HPV vaccination, such that the study provided insight into how social media content may influence HPV and HPV vaccine related knowledge, attitudes, and/or behaviors. A total of 44 relevant articles were identified using the following databases: PubMed, PsycINFO, Communication Source, Sociological Abstracts, Business Source Elite, and the Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC). Most studies analyzed the valence, type, and frequency of social media content about HPV vaccination, and some found associations between potential exposure to negative, anti-vacc`11qine content and lower vaccination rates. Some studies that included primary human subject data collection found that engagement with HPV related social media content was associated with improved awareness and knowledge but not with increased vaccine uptake. The literature overall is lacking in systematic and rigorous research examining the effects of social media on HPV related knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors and needs further examination as social media increasingly becomes a source of health information.

Development and Evaluation of a Social Media Health Intervention to Improve Adolescents' Knowledge About and Vaccination Against the Human Papillomavirus.

This study describes the formative research, execution, and evaluation of a social media health intervention to improve adolescents' knowledge about and vaccination against human papillomavirus (HPV). Based on the results from formative focus groups with adolescents (N = 38) to determine intervention feasibility, parameters, and message preferences, we developed and conducted a pretest/posttest evaluation of a 3-month social media health intervention for adolescents who had not completed the HPV vaccine series (N = 108). Results revealed that adolescents who fully engaged with the intervention improved in their knowledge compared with a control group, and many were also likely to have interpersonal discussions with others about what they learned. Adolescents are generally interested in receiving information about HPV and the vaccine, along with other relevant health information, through social media channels if messages are considered interesting, their privacy is protected, and the source is credible.

Impact of introduction of the 9-valent human papillomavirus vaccine on vaccination coverage of youth in North Carolina.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of introduction of 9vHPV vaccine on HPV vaccination uptake (doses per capita) and initiation (≥1 doses), completion (≥3 doses) and compliance (≥3 doses within 12 months) by adolescents. METHODS: We used a retrospective cohort analysis using North Carolina Immunization Registry (NCIR) data from January 2008 through October 2016. The sample included Vaccines for Children eligible adolescents aged 9 to 17 years in 2016, for whom the NCIR contains complete vaccination history. We applied an interrupted time series design to measure associations between ZIP Code Tabulation Area (ZCTA)-level HPV vaccination outcomes over time with the introduction of 9vHPV in North Carolina (NC) in July 2015. RESULTS: Each outcome displayed a linear upward trend over time with large seasonal spikes near August of each year, corresponding to the time when adolescents often receive other vaccines required for school entry. After accounting for these underlying trends, introduction of 9vHPV was not associated with a change in publicly funded HPV vaccination rates in NC. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that 9vHPV substituted for 4vHPV in the first year after release in NC, but the release of 9vHPV was not associated with an overall change in HPV vaccination.

Determinants of the receipt of the 9-valent human papillomavirus vaccine in the first year after introduction in North Carolina.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to describe the transition from bi- and quadrivalent HPV vaccines to 9vHPV in aggregate and identify determinants of the receipt of 9vHPV among youth following the introduction of 9vHPV in North Carolina. METHODS: The study used a retrospective cohort design with data from the North Carolina Immunization Registry (NCIR). Our sample included all doses of HPV vaccine administered between July 2015 and October 2016 to age-eligible youth (ages 9-17). We used a logistic regression model to associate individual child-level and ZIP Code Tabulation Area (ZCTA)-level characteristics with an indicator variable for receiving 9vHPV (vs. other HPV vaccines). RESULTS: Youth receiving the HPV vaccine were more likely to receive 9vHPV if they lived in a ZCTA with a larger age-eligible (i.e., 9-17) population, a health professional shortage area, or a higher number of annual outpatient visits per capita. They were less likely to receive 9vHPV if they were older, received a publicly-funded dose, or lived in a ZCTA with a higher percentage of the population with less than a high-school education or a higher number of religious organizations. CONCLUSIONS: While the transition from other HPV vaccines to 9vHPV was relatively quick, there were disparities in the diffusion of 9vHPV across North Carolina.

Developing a Serious Videogame for Preteens to Motivate HPV Vaccination Decision Making: Land of Secret Gardens.

INTRODUCTION: Vaccination against human papillomavirus (HPV) is routinely recommended for ages 11-12, yet in 2016 only 49.5% of women and 37.5% of men had completed the three-dose series in the United States. Offering information and cues to action through a serious videogame for preteens may foster HPV vaccination awareness, information seeking, and communication. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An iterative process was used to develop an interactive videogame, Land of Secret Gardens. Three focus groups were conducted with 16 boys and girls, ages 11-12, for input on game design, acceptability, and functioning. Two parallel focus groups explored parents' (n = 9) perspectives on the game concept. Three researchers identified key themes. RESULTS: Preteens wanted a game that is both entertaining and instructional. Some parents were skeptical that games could be motivational. A back-story about a secret garden was developed as a metaphor for a preteen's body and keeping it healthy. The goal is to plant a lush secret garden and protect the seedlings by treating them with a potion when they sprout to keep them healthy as they mature. Points to buy seeds and create the potion are earned by playing mini-games. Throughout play, players are exposed to messaging about HPV and the benefits of the vaccine. Both boys and girls liked the garden concept and getting facts about HPV. Parents were encouraged to discuss the game with their preteens. CONCLUSION: Within a larger communication strategy, serious games could be useful for engaging preteens in health decision making about HPV vaccination.

Immunization effects of a communication intervention to promote preteen HPV vaccination in primary care practices.

OBJECTIVES: HPV vaccination at the recommended ages of 11-12 is highly effective yet has stalled well below the goal of 80% of the population. We evaluated a statewide practice-based communication intervention (tools: brochures, posters, online training for providers and resources for parents, video game for preteens) to persuade parents, preteens and providers to vaccinate against HPV. The 9-month intervention started May 1, 2015. METHODS: We compared vaccine initiation and completion rates over three 9-month periods (baseline, intervention, post-intervention) between practices enrolled in the intervention and a comparable comparison group. All practices reported to the North Carolina Immunization Registry (NCIR) and had at least 100 11- and 12-year-olds who had not completed the HPV vaccine series. Of 175 eligible practices, the 14 intervention practices included 19,398 individuals and the 161 comparison practices included 127,896 individuals. An extended Cox model was used to test the intervention effect. RESULTS: The intervention had a significant effect on both initiation and completion during the intervention and post-intervention periods; the estimated hazard ratio (HR) for initiation was 1.17 (p = .004) during the intervention and 1.11 (p = .005) post-intervention. Likewise, completion during the intervention period was 17% higher in intervention practices, after controlling for baseline differences. This effect increased in the post-intervention period to 30% higher (p = .03). CONCLUSIONS: Individuals in the intervention practices were 17% more likely to initiate and complete HPV vaccination than in the comparison practices during the intervention period and the effect was sustained post-intervention. This intervention is promising for increasing rates of HPV vaccination at ages 11-12.

Communication technologies to improve HPV vaccination initiation and completion: A systematic review.

OBJECTIVES: This systematic review examines the effectiveness of communication technology interventions on HPV vaccination initiation and completion. METHODS: A comprehensive search strategy was used to identify existing randomized controlled trials testing the impact of computer-, mobile- or internet-based interventions on receipt of any dose of the HPV vaccine. Twelve relevant studies were identified with a total of 38,945 participants. RESULTS: The interventions were delivered using several different methods, including electronic health record (i.e. recall/reminder) prompts, text messaging, automated phone calls, interactive computer videos, and email. Vaccine initiation and completion was greater for technology-based studies relative to their control conditions. CONCLUSION: There is evidence that interventions utilizing communication technologies as their sole or primary mode for HPV vaccination intervention delivery may increase vaccination coverage. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Communication technologies hold much promise for the future of HPV vaccination efforts, especially initiatives in practice-based settings.

Protecting Women Against Human Papillomavirus: Benefits, Barriers, and Evidence-Based Strategies to Increase Vaccine Uptake.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection significantly impacts women, as it can cause cancers and precancers of the cervix, vulva, vagina, oropharynx, and anus. However, many of these cancers can be prevented by HPV vaccination. Despite evidence of vaccine effectiveness and safety, vaccination rates remain low. Evidence-based strategies should be utilized to reduce barriers and increase vaccination rates.