Abstract
College-aged women and men are an important catch-up population for human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination interventions. Limited research has explored technology-mediated HPV vaccination awareness interventions aimed at college students. The purpose was to evaluate a novel, technology-mediated, social media-based intervention to promote HPV vaccination among college students. A controlled, quasi-experimental, mixed methods study examined the feasibility of a technology-based intervention among two undergraduate classes (n = 58) at a public university in the southeastern United States of America. Classes were randomized to receive one of two cancer prevention programs (i.e., HPV vaccination (intervention) or healthy weight (control)). Both programs contained eight technology-mediated sessions, including weekly emails and private Facebook group posts. Participants completed pre-/post-test surveys and submitted weekly qualitative reflections. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and thematic review for qualitative data. Knowledge improved among participants in the HPV vaccination intervention relative to those in the control condition. Participants (97%) interacted on Facebook by “liking” a post or comment or posting a comment. Participants demonstrated robust engagement and high treatment satisfaction. Results suggests that social media is an effective platform to reach college students with health promotion interventions and increase HPV vaccination awareness in this important catch-up population.
Highlights
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is pervasive and almost all men and women will contract it at some point in their lifetime [1]
human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccinations have been licensed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) since 2006 in the U.S The currently available vaccine in the U.S, Gardasil® 9, prevents up to 90% of HPV-related cancers [5]
From 2016 to 2017, HPV vaccination initiation among adolescents aged 13–17 increased from 60.4% to 65.5%, yet only 48.6% of adolescents were up-to-date with the HPV vaccine series in 2018 [8]
Summary
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is pervasive and almost all men and women will contract it at some point in their lifetime [1]. HPV infections clear without treatment; the virus can lead to genital warts and cancers in men and women, including. HPV vaccines are effective and have significantly reduced rates of genital warts, HPV infections, and cervical lesions among women [6]. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends a two-dose HPV vaccination series for both boys and girls between 11 and 12 years of age; in the U.S, uptake of the HPV vaccine is slow. For adolescents and young adults who missed HPV vaccination at earlier ages (ages 15–26), the ACIP recommends a three-dose HPV vaccination series for women aged 15 to 26, men up to 21 years, and men ages 22–26 who have sex with men. HPV vaccination rates are low in South Carolina, with only 42.7%
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