A randomized intervention study to evaluate whether electronic messaging can increase human papillomavirus vaccine completion and knowledge among college students

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate an intervention aimed at increasing human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine completion of the 3-dose series and knowledge.

Participants: Two hundred sixty-four male and female US college students 18-26 years old who were receiving HPV vaccine dose 1.

Methods: Students were randomly assigned to the intervention or control group. Intervention participants received the electronic intervention (text/e-mail appointment reminders and education messages) and controls received standard-of-care. Baseline/follow-up survey data were collected. Main outcome measures included vaccine completion and knowledge.

Results: HPV vaccine completion across groups were not significantly different for HPV dose 2 (53% vs 52%) and dose 3 (34% vs 32%). Mean knowledge score at follow-up for intervention group was significantly higher (p = .01) than at baseline. No significant differences in knowledge were found for the control group. The biggest predictor of HPV vaccine completion was female gender.

Conclusions: The intervention increased knowledge but not vaccine completion. More research with catch-up age populations is needed.

Keywords: College students; human papillomavirus vaccine; reminder systems; text/e-mail messaging.