Implementation of the Human Papillomavirus Vaccine in the Postpartum Period [39L]

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection, with a lifetime prevalence of 80%. The Food and Drug Administration approved the HPV vaccine in 2006 which through research was found to prevent 95-100% of cervical, vaginal, and vulvar neoplasms as well as anogenital condylomatas in women naïve to HPV. Despite the data, vaccination rates remain low. We hypothesized that the implementation of a comprehensive protocol for the HPV vaccine postpartum would result in improved rates of vaccination in eligible women. METHODS: We performed a retrospective chart review of the OBGYN resident clinic patients. The pre-intervention data was collected from March 1, 2017 to August 31, 2017 and post-intervention data from October 1, 2017 to March 31, 2018. RESULTS: In the post-protocol group, the rate of HPV vaccination on the postpartum unit was 11.5%, while no patients received the vaccination in the pre-protocol group (P=.06). The percentage of post-protocol patients who received the HPV vaccination at the postpartum visit was 8% vs 2.6% for the pre-protocol patients (P=0.56).19.2% of post-protocol patients compared to 2.6% pre-protocol patients received the vaccination on the postpartum unit or at the postpartum visit (P=.036). Final vaccination rates were 18.4% for the pre-protocol patients and 53.8% for the post-protocol patients (P=.003). The percentage of patients who discussed the HPV vaccination was significantly higher in the post-protocol group with 61.5% vs the pre-protocol group with 0% (P<.001). CONCLUSION: Implementation of a comprehensive HPV vaccination protocol resulted in increased discussion of HPV vaccination and postpartum vaccination rates.