Importance of a team approach to recommending the human papillomavirus vaccination.

Abstract

Few studies have examined human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine communication in the context of the health care team. In 2016, the investigators conducted a national, online survey of U.S. parents who reported having discussed HPV vaccination with their adolescent's health care team. Multivariable logistic regression assessed associations between HPV vaccine initiation (≥1 dose) and having: 1) discussed HPV vaccination with multiple team members and 2) received congruent recommendations about HPV vaccination. Of the 795 parents in the sample, about half (52%) reported discussing HPV vaccination with multiple team members, including nurse practitioners, nurses, and physicians. Most reported receiving congruent recommendations for (76%) or against (12%) HPV vaccination; few (12%) received mixed recommendations. Parents who discussed HPV vaccination with multiple team members had greater odds of series initiation (odds ratio [OR] = 2.34, 95% CI: 1.61-3.40), whereas those who received mixed versus congruent recommendations for HPV vaccination had lower odds of vaccination (OR = 0.56, 95% CI: 0.33-0.95). Findings suggest that a coordinated team approach to recommendations may encourage HPV vaccination. Nurse practitioners are well positioned to facilitate coordination efforts within their clinical practices.