Patient–Provider Health Communication Strategies: Enhancing HPV Vaccine Uptake among Adolescents of Color

Abstract

Cervical cancer remains a public health issue in the United States, particularly among stigmatized racial and ethnic populations. The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine has been clinically proven to prevent cervical cancers, and other HPV-associated cancers, among men and women. However, HPV vaccine uptake is suboptimal; only 55% of adolescents complete the two-dose series by age 15. Past research has shown that provider HPV vaccine communication for people of marginalized races/ethnicities is subpar. This article focuses on provider communication strategies to promote HPV vaccine uptake effectively and equitably. The authors reviewed the literature on evidence-based patient–provider HPV vaccine communication techniques to create a set of communication language providers could use and avoid using to enhance HPV vaccine acceptance and uptake among adolescents of marginalized racial and ethnic groups. Evidence has shown that information and the manner of dissemination are critical for influencing HPV vaccine uptake. These communication strategies must be suited to the context of the targeted population, and the message content can be broadly categorized into source, content, and modality. Strategies to improve patient–provider communication among adolescents of color using source, modality, and content include the following: (1) Source: increase provider self-efficacy to provide the recommendation, building rapport between providers and parents; (2) Content: persistent, forceful language with minimal acquiescence should be employed, reframing the conversation focus from sex to cancer; and (3) Modality: use multiple vaccine reminder modalities, and work with the community to culturally adapt the vaccination language. Utilizing effective behavior-change communication adapted for adolescents of color can reduce missed opportunities for HPV prevention, potentially decreasing racial and ethnic disparities in HPV-related morbidity and mortality.

Determinants of an HIV Preventive Vaccine among a Highly Vulnerable Population: African American Men Who Have Sex with Men

“…Further studies should seek to understand that the extant lessons learned from one type of vaccine research may be transferrable to other vaccines. If vaccine sentiments are transferrable, health stakeholders can potentially use prior vaccine histories and other vaccine communication and education strategies to improve HIV vaccine messaging and enhance vaccine uptake [ 43 , 44 ].…”

Improving HPV Vaccination Uptake Among Adolescents in Low Resource Settings: Sociocultural and Socioeconomic Barriers and Facilitators

“… 75 Consistent, broad, vaccine communication within the community by trained health workers, school personnel, and community leaders would enhance vaccine uptake as misconceptions and rumors are the main reason for vaccine hesitancy. 27 , 74 , 76 A broader HPV vaccine discussion may also enable those who are not enrolled in school to learn about HPV and seek opportunities to vaccinate when they seek health facility services or other community outreach services.…”