Influence of online education programmes on parents' knowledge regarding human papilloma virus vaccination

Abstract

Cancer ranks as a leading cause of death and an important barrier to increasing life expectancy in every country of the world. Human papilloma virus (HPV) infection is identified as a preventable cause of genital cancer. HPV vaccination for adolescents helps in prevention of HPV infection, but vaccine uptake is poor due to lack of knowledge amongst parents. The objective is to evaluate the effectiveness of online education programme regarding HPV vaccination on the knowledge of parents of school-going adolescents. Applying the conceptual framework developed based on King's goal attainment theory, an experimental study was conducted amongst a sample of 360 parents. Samples were selected in three groups and were given online education on HPV vaccination using three different methods, namely lecture, short film and self-learning booklet. Pre- and post-intervention knowledge was assessed with a structured questionnaire. The mean score in pre-test for the three groups was 4.95 (standard deviation [SD] = 4.17), 6.33 (SD = 4.76) and 5.73 (SD = 4.91) which increased to 14.27 (SD = 4.68), 17.45 (SD = 4.14) and 12.04 (SD = 3.47), respectively, in the post-test which was significant at P < 0.001. All the three methods of education were effective in improving the knowledge. The maximum increase was seen in Group 2 educated using the short film. The conceptual model developed based on King's goal attainment theory was an excellent guide in the conduction of the study. All three methods of online education programmes were effective in influencing the parent's knowledge regarding HPV vaccination, and the short film had a better effect compared to the lecture and self-learning booklet.