ASPO Abstracts
Examination of the effectiveness of a program to increase HPV vaccination among 9-17 year old children attending pediatric clinics in Southeast Texas
Category: Behavioral Science & Health Communication, Cancer Health Disparities
Conference Year: 2018
Abstract Body:
Purpose: To determine the effectiveness of a multi-component program which removed cost and educational barriers from parents of patients not fully vaccinated for human papillomavirus (HPV) attending a pediatric clinic. Methods: Parents of 9-17 year old patients attending a participating clinic between February 1, 2015 and August 31, 2016 who had no previous records of HPV vaccination were approached as part of a program aimed at increasing vaccination rates. Data for these patients was followed through August 31, 2017. Parents of patients were offered information about the HPV vaccine, and were made aware that the vaccines would be free to their children. Parents who chose to get their children vaccinated then had follow-up appointments for 2nd and 3rd shots scheduled before they left. Reminders for future appointments were sent via mail, automated phone calls, personal phone calls, and text messages. Patient records were examined to determine initiation and completion rates among families that were approached. Results: In total, 2,165 age-eligible patients and their parents were approached. Of these, 57 had already completed the HPV vaccine series and 3 were not eligible. Of those who had not received any doses of the HPV vaccine, 930 (66%) received the 1st dose after being counseled, which was a marked improvement from less than 20% of pediatric patients who had initiated the vaccine before the program. Of the 420 initiators, 93% successfully completed the series. Among patients who had initiated the series, 90% received the 2nd dose and 82% completed the series with either the 2nd or 3rd doses. Among 282 patients who had received 2 previous doses, 100% either completed with the 3rd dose, or had received 2 appropriately spaced doses if they were 14 years old or less. Conclusions: A multi-component program which screened patients for HPV vaccination eligibility, offered parents information, scheduled future vaccinations, and sent reminders was highly effective at increasing HPV vaccination.
Keywords: HPV vaccination, program implementation, prevention, HPV education