Persuasive messaging for human papillomavirus vaccination by adolescent providers in a five-country multi-site study

Abstract

ObjectiveStrong persuasive messaging by providers is a key predictor for patient acceptance of prophylactic human papillomavirus vaccination. We aimed to determine optimal messaging to promote human papillomavirus adolescent vaccination across different geographical sites.MethodsAdolescent providers (n = 151) from Argentina, Malaysia, South Africa, South Korea, and Spain were surveyed on messages, family decision makers, and sources of communication to best motivate parents to vaccinate their adolescent daughters overall, and against human papillomavirus. Multivariate logistic regression assessed the likelihood of recommending messages specifically targeted at cervical cancer with providers’ characteristics: gender, medical specialization, and previous administration of human papillomavirus vaccination.ResultsMothers were considered the most important human papillomavirus vaccination decision makers for their daughters (range 93%–100%). Television was cited as the best source of information on human papillomavirus vaccination in surveyed countries (range 56.5%–87.1%), except Spain where one-on-one discussions were most common (73.3%). Prevention messages were considered the most likely to motivate parents to vaccinate their daughters overall, and against human papillomavirus, in all five countries (range 30.8%–55.9%). Optimal messages emphasized cervical cancer prevention, and included strong provider recommendation to vaccinate, vaccine safety and efficacy, timely vaccination, and national policy for human papillomavirus vaccination. Pediatricians and obstetricians/gynecologists were more likely to cite that the best prevention messages should focus on cervical cancer (OR: 4.2, 95% CI: 1.17 to 15.02 vs other medical specialists).ConclusionsProvider communication messages that would motivate parents to vaccinate against human papillomavirus were based on strong recommendation emphasizing prevention of cervical cancer. To frame convincing messages to increase vaccination uptake, adolescent providers should receive updated training on human papillomavirus and associated cancers, while clearly addressing human papillomavirus vaccination safety and efficacy.

Human Papillomavirus Vaccination in South Africa: Programmatic Challenges and Opportunities for Integration With Other Adolescent Health Services?

“…To improve HPV vaccine acceptance and uptake, the WHO recommends that national immunization programmes invest in effective vaccine communication strategies and provides clear guidance on developing and delivering such strategies (46). In South Africa, healthcare providers consider mothers as the most influential decision-makers in whether adolescent girls receive the HPV vaccine, followed by fathers, adolescent girls themselves, and grandmothers (47). This gives an indication of healthcare providers' primary targets for delivering information and recommendations about the HPV vaccine.…”

“…The most common interventions used in HPV vaccine communication strategies targeted at adolescents in LMICs include written and oral communication delivered through information fact sheets, radio announcements or programmes, house-to-house education sessions, telephone reminders and messages, and DVD-based instructions (48). Healthcare providers in South Africa find that the most useful sources of information when delivering recommendations about the HPV vaccine to their clients, are television, posters and brochures, flyers, websites, and information handed out at schools, while traditional media sources such as radio and print media, and word-of-mouth are the least useful communication strategies (47).…”

Communication strategies to improve human papillomavirus (HPV) immunisation uptake among adolescents in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…A total of 20 studies were excluded and the reasons for exclusion included studies that did not have any communication intervention, [63][64][65][66][67][68][69][70][71][72][73][74][75][76][77][78][79] studies done outside the study settings, 66 80 studies not in line with the outcome of interest 81 and one study that was not focused on HPV vaccination 82 (online supplemental appendix C). Open access…”

Associated factors to human papillomavirus vaccine adhesion in adult women: a cross-sectional study

“…[3][4][5][6] Globally, 260,000 women die from invasive cervical cancer annually, with a higher incidence in immunocompromised, transplanted, and smokers. [7][8][9] Since the 90s cervical cancer screening has been a national concern in Portugal and more recently as part of a national screening program from the National Public Health system (https:// www.dgs.pt/estatisticas-de-saude/estatisticas-de-saude/publicacoes /avaliacao-e-monitorizacao-dos-rastreios-oncologicos-organizadosde-base-populacio nal-de-portugal-continental-pdf.aspx; https://dre. pt/pesquisa/-/search/108189401/details/normal?l51).…”