Trial in HPV Prevention for the U.S. Vietnamese Community

Summary

The purpose of the HERO study is to leverage the Multiphase Optimization Strategy (MOST) framework to conduct a pilot trial testing four different intervention components (expert video, self-persuasion, narrative storytelling, and motivational interviewing) targeting HPV vaccination among U.S. Vietnamese.

PRIMARY AIM To assess the feasibility and acceptability of each of the four digital HERO intervention components in a pilot optimization trial using the MOST framework. Using a highly efficient design, the study team will randomize 96 Vietnamese parents of unvaccinated adolescents to receive 0 to 4 HERO components. The study team will establish the feasibility (reach, retention, adherence) and acceptability (usability, satisfaction, usefulness, cultural relevance) of each component (expert video, self-persuasion, narrative storytelling, and motivational interviewing).

SECONDARY AIM To investigate effects of each component on HPV vaccination outcomes and psychosocial mediators. The study team will examine the effects on HPV vaccination (initiation and intention) and psychosocial mediators.

Conditions

• HPV-related Cancers
• HPV Vaccination

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Expert Video

Participants will watch a video featuring Vietnamese healthcare providers. In the video, the providers will endorse vaccine safety and efficacy, dispel common misconceptions or concerns, and use verbal persuasion techniques to recommend HPV vaccination.

BEHAVIORAL

Self-persuasion

Participants will complete an interactive web-based task where they audio record reasons, summarized in their own words, for getting their adolescent the HPV vaccine.

BEHAVIORAL

Narrative Storytelling

Participants will watch a video featuring U.S. Vietnamese parents. In the video, featured parents will describe stories of their experiences learning about the HPV vaccine as well as motivations to initiate and complete the vaccine series on-time for their adolescents.

BEHAVIORAL

Motivational Interviewing

Participants will receive 2 calls (phone or Zoom) from a trained U.S. Vietnamese health educator. The health educator will use motivation interviewing (e.g., open-ended questions, acknowledging feelings, affirmations, reflective listening) to increase opportunities for and commitment to HPV vaccination while decreasing barriers (e.g., safety or access concerns).

BEHAVIORAL

Constant Component

Each participant will receive the constant component through the study website, which includes a vaccine information statement from the CDC with details on HPV vaccine benefits, potential side effects, and recommended vaccination schedule, as well as online information on access and locations for HPV vaccine (e.g., list of Vaccines for Children providers where Medicaid, uninsured, or underinsured adolescents can be vaccinated for free).

Sponsors & Collaborators

• National Cancer Institute (NCI)

  collaborator NIH

• Northwestern University

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Milkie Vu, PhD · Northwestern University

• Namratha Kandula · Northwestern University

• Siobhan Phillips · Northwestern University

• Juned Siddique · Northwestern University

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2026-05-01

Primary Completion

2029-06-30

Completion

2029-06-30

Countries

• United States

Study Locations