Using Facebook to reach adolescents for human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination

Abstract

Background: Despite numerous public health campaigns to promote the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, uptake among adolescents in the US has remained below the Healthy People 80% goal for 3-dose completion. The Philadelphia Department of Public Health (PDPH) used an innovative social media strategy to raise awareness and increase rates of HPV immunization initiation and series completion among adolescents.

Methods: Between June 2012 and July 2013, PDPH launched a Facebook campaign to target Philadelphia adolescents (13-18 years) with specific messages about HPV immunization benefits and announce opportunities for vaccination. Six distinct advertising campaigns ran for two-week intervals. Facebook metrics and vaccine clinic data were used to track success. Reminder-recall letters were also sent to adolescents as part of the campaign.

Results: On average, each advertising campaign reached 155,110 adolescents and engaged 2106 adolescents. The advertising campaigns that focused on HPV disease risk and local resources were the most successful in engaging adolescents. During advertising campaigns, there were sizeable increases in both reach and engagement compared to non-campaign periods. Overall, 3400 adolescents became fans of the campaign and 176 doses of HPV vaccine were administered to 152 adolescents. Only 2 adolescents were vaccinated as a result of the Facebook campaign while the rest were prompted by reminder-recall letters or through community events.

Conclusion: The campaign was well-received, far-reaching and generated awareness and conversations among adolescents. However, the campaign did not appear to be a sufficient driver for HPV uptake even when common barriers to HPV immunization were minimized.

Keywords: Adolescent; Facebook; Health Belief Model; Human papillomavirus; Human papillomavirus vaccine.