Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2024 Feb:181:102-109.
doi: 10.1016/j.ygyno.2023.12.005. Epub 2023 Dec 26.

Building knowledge using a novel web-based intervention to promote HPV vaccination in a diverse, low-income population

Emily M Webster  1 , Muhammad Danyal Ahsan  2 , Amita Kulkarni  2 , Emilio Peñate  2 , Shanice Beaumont  2 , Xiaoyue Ma  3 , Melanie Wilson-Taylor  4 , Jane Chang  4 , Lisa Ipp  4 , Monika M Safford  5 , Evelyn Cantillo  2 , Melissa Frey  2 , Kevin Holcomb  2 , Eloise Chapman-Davis  2
Affiliations

Building knowledge using a novel web-based intervention to promote HPV vaccination in a diverse, low-income population

Emily M Webster et al. Gynecol Oncol. 2024 Feb.

Abstract

Objectives: HPV vaccination rates remain suboptimal despite proven efficacy. Data suggest misconceptions or lack of knowledge are leading barriers. Our study aimed to develop and pilot a novel interactive education resource designed to educate parents and patients about HPV vaccines.

Methods: This is a prospective pilot study conducted in an urban teaching hospital pediatric clinic. The Patient Activated Learning System (PALS) intervention included 3 web-based videos with HPV vaccine-related educational content. Participants were parents of adolescent patients, aged 11-17 years, and young adult patients, aged 18-26 years. Enrolled participants completed an HPV vaccine knowledge survey before and after watching PALS; paired scores were evaluated. Acceptability and participant-reported impact of PALS modules were measured via Likert-scale surveys.

Results: 132 individuals were approached; 101 (76%) enrolled and completed the study. Participants self-identified as Hispanic (50%), non-Hispanic Black (23%), non-Hispanic White (7%), Asian (6%), American/Alaskan/Hawaiian Native or Pacific Islander (5%). Half reported earning ≤$40,000 annually; 57% had only a high school education. Post-intervention knowledge scores were increased compared to baseline (9.87/27 points vs 17.53/27 points, p < 0.01). PALS modules were reported as enjoyable to use and understandable (89% and 93%, respectively), and improved participants' understanding of the importance of HPV vaccination (90%). Of the 18 patients unvaccinated at baseline, 39% received 1 shot of the HPV vaccine within one month.

Conclusion: The PALS HPV vaccine educational intervention was feasible, acceptable, and improved knowledge among a diverse, underserved population. Our intervention may positively influence HPV vaccination rates, with potential to overcome HPV vaccine hesitancy.

Keywords: Cervical cancer prevention; HPV vaccine; PALS; Patient education.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of Competing Interest Lisa Ipp served on the Merck Speakers' Bureau. Monika M Safford is the Chair of the Medical Advisory Board of MedExplain, Inc., a patient education company seeking to expand the reach of the Patient Activated Learning System. She receives no compensation for this role. Kevin Holcomb provided expert testimony to Johnson and Johnson. The remainder of the authors report no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Screen capture representation of PALS modules.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Internet Intervention Utility Questionnaire Results.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
Participant-reported impact of educational modules.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. American Cancer Society. The Global Cancer Burden: Why Global Cancer Rates are Rising. https://www.cancer.org/about-us/our-global-health-work/global-cancer-bur.... Accessed 23 June 2023.
    1. Olusola P, Banerjee HN, Philley JV, Dasgupta S. Human Papilloma Virus-Associated Cervical Cancer and Health Disparities. Cells. Jun 21 2019;8(6)doi:10.3390/cells8060622 - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Cancers Associated with Human Papillomavirus, United States—2014–2018. U.S. Cancer Statistics Data Briefs, No. 26. 2021. https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/uscs/about/data-briefs/no26-hpv-assoc-cancers.... Accessed 23 June 2023.
    1. Lei J, Ploner A, Elfstrom KM, et al. HPV Vaccination and the Risk of Invasive Cervical Cancer. N Engl J Med. Oct 1 2020;383(14):1340–1348. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa1917338 - DOI - PubMed
    1. Meites E, Szilagyi PG, Chesson HW, Unger ER, Romero JR, Markowitz LE. Human Papillomavirus Vaccination for Adults: Updated Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. Aug 16 2019;68(32):698–702. doi:10.15585/mmwr.mm6832a3 - DOI - PMC - PubMed

Publication types

Substances

LinkOut - more resources