Abstract A23: Development and initial feedback about a human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine comic book for adolescents

Abstract

Abstract Purpose. Adolescent human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination rates do not meet the Healthy People 2020 goal of 80%, thus interventions to improve vaccination rates are needed. Focus groups of parents assisting in the development of an intervention to improve HPV vaccination rates suggested that an educational tool for young adolescents be included in the intervention. Parents recommended a comic book format, and provided input into the development of a theoretically-based story. Methods. We conducted a pilot study to obtain initial feedback about a HPV vaccine comic book among parents (n=20) and their adolescents (ages 9 to 14) recruited from a community-based organization. Three adolescents did not participate because of lack of time, difficulty reading, and parental refusal. Parents completed a pre-post test including items addressing HPV knowledge, HPV vaccine attitudes, and about the content of the comic book. Adolescents (n=17) completed a brief interview after reading the comic book. Results. After reading the comic book, HPV knowledge improved (2.7 to 4.6 correct answers on a 0-5 scale; p<0.01) and more positive attitudes toward HPV vaccination (p<0.05) were reported among parents. Most parents confirmed that the comic book's content was acceptable. Adolescents liked the story, found it easy to read, and thought the comic book was a good way to learn about being healthy. Conclusions. Parents provided valuable information in the development of a theoretically-based comic book and the comic book appears to be an acceptable format for providing HPV vaccine information to young adolescents. A comic book format as an educational tool may provide important health information to adolescents. Future research will include the comic book in a study of an intervention to improve HPV vaccination rates among adolescents. Citation Format: Mira L. Katz, Jennifer Goodwin, Paul L. Reiter, Mack T. Ruffin, IV, Electra D. Paskett. Development and initial feedback about a human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine comic book for adolescents. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Sixth AACR Conference: The Science of Cancer Health Disparities; Dec 6–9, 2013; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2014;23(11 Suppl):Abstract nr A23. doi:10.1158/1538-7755.DISP13-A23