Abstract
BackgroundUptake and completion of the HPV vaccine is suboptimal. This study assessed the feasibility of implementing a one-month Twitter campaign to promote knowledge about the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine among low-income women living in public housing.MethodsWe recruited a convenience sample (n = 35) of women ages 18–26 years residing in low-come, public housing in Massachusetts. We assessed the feasibility and acceptability of a communication campaign that consisted of daily Twitter messages. Online surveys assessed changes in HPV knowledge, attitudes, and vaccine intentions before and after the campaign.ResultsMost believed that Twitter was an acceptable educational strategy and remained engaged with the campaign throughout the intervention. We observed no changes in HPV knowledge, perceived benefits of or barriers to vaccination, decision self-efficacy, or vaccine intentions after the campaign, although perceived risk for cervical cancer decreased.ConclusionsTwitter may be a feasible and acceptable method for promoting knowledge about the HPV vaccine, but more research is needed to understand how best to reach low-income women with low levels of vaccine uptake.Trial registrationClinicaltrials.gov 1,603,045, retrospectively registered 0610/19.
Highlights
Uptake and completion of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is suboptimal
At post-test, 71% of women agreed with the statement “Twitter messages are a good way to educate women about the HPV vaccine.”
We aimed to assess the feasibility of a Twitter campaign on HPV vaccination among low-income women from diverse racial/ethnically diverse young adult women recruited from public housing
Summary
This study assessed the feasibility of implementing a one-month Twitter campaign to promote knowledge about the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine among low-income women living in public housing. Methods: We recruited a convenience sample (n = 35) of women ages 18–26 years residing in low-come, public housing in Massachusetts. With the availability of prophylactic human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines, it is possible to Despite the availability of the HPV vaccine, initiation and completion of the series remains suboptimal. Results from the 2010 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) revealed that less than 25% of U.S women ages 21–30 years had initiated vaccination, and only 13% had. A more recent analysis of the 2015 NHIS among women ages 18–31 years found higher levels of vaccine initiation and completion (35 and 23%, respectively) [4], uptake and completion is still well below national goals. Regardless, low levels of vaccine completion are concerning, especially given that low-income women and women of color experience a disproportionate burden of cervical cancer morbidity and mortality [5]
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