Increasing Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine Uptake Via General Health Messaging

Summary

Background: Prevention of cervical cancer and genital warts could be achieved by immunization with the prophylactic human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines commercially available. However, in the U.S. only 38% of females and 14% of males in the recommended age group (9-26 years) receive the complete, three-dose HPV vaccine. Because the HPV vaccine is covered under the Vaccine for Children Program, the underinsured and uninsured have no-cost access. Nonetheless, data from Los Angeles county suggest that HPV vaccination rates among the uninsured and underinsured groups are significantly lower than the national average, likely related to knowledge of the vaccine, transportation, number of doses and concern of side effects.

Aim: To evaluate the efficacy of health oriented text messaging to increase HPV vaccine uptake versus standard health messaging (Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) HPV vaccine information flyers).

Hypothesis: The investigators hypothesize that receiving general health messaging, including messages regarding the benefits of the HPV vaccine, will increase HPV vaccine uptake. Text messaging will also be more successful in reaching the uninsured and underinsured populations than will traditional flyers/information pamphlets used in clinics.

Methods: A cluster randomized trial design will be used to recruit participants from four clinics in Los Angeles County which offer pediatric vaccination to uninsured and underinsured children. The sample will include women aged 18-45 years of age. Two of the sites will be randomized to the text messaging arm and the other clinic will be randomized to the control arm (standard messaging: CDC flyers and pamphlets available for patients at the clinic). Outcome measures will be HPV vaccinations rates at those clinics. Rates will be defined into groups who received 1 dose, 2 doses and 3 doses.

Anticipated Results: The investigators expect to find statistically significant higher HPV vaccination rates among children and women in the text messaging study arm compared to the control arm.

Implications and Future Studies: This pilot study will give us preliminary data to submit a larger randomized controlled trial to examine the efficacy of text messaging.

Conditions

• Human Papilloma Virus

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Health Messaging via SMS

This intervention aims to provide health education on topics including HPV Vaccination, Cervical Cancer screening, contraceptive methods, menstrual problems, diet and exercise geared towards women with children of vaccination age.

BEHAVIORAL

CDC Health Pamphlets

This intervention aims to provide health education on the HPV Vaccination to women with children of vaccination age.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Cedars-Sinai Medical Center

  collaborator OTHER

• University of California, Los Angeles

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Anna-Barbara Moscicki, MD · University of California, Los Angeles

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

PREVENTION

Masking

NONE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

21 Years

Sex

FEMALE

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2018-04-25

Primary Completion

2020-02-19

Completion

2020-02-19

Countries

• United States

Study Locations