Utilizing Theories and Evaluation in Digital Gaming Interventions to Increase Human Papillomavirus Vaccination Among Young Males: Qualitative Study

Abstract

Background Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States. HPV attributes to most cancers including anal, oral, cervical, and penile. Despite infection rates in the United States, recommendations and communication campaigns have traditionally focused on females. Because of this, males lack knowledge about reasons for vaccination, the benefits of being vaccinated, and their HPV risk, overall. Gaming as a health education strategy can be beneficial as mechanism that can promote behavior change for this key demographic because of the popularity of gaming. Objective We sought to explore the relationship between gamification and HPV vaccine uptake. Methods Interviews were conducted with experts (n=22) in the fields of cancer prevention, sexual and reproductive health, public health, game design, technology, and health communication on how a game should be developed to increase HPV vaccination rates among males. Results Overwhelmingly, theoretical models such as the health belief model were identified with key constructs such as self-efficacy and risk perception. Experts also suggested using intervention mapping and logic models as planning tools for health promotion interventions utilizing a digital game as a medium. In game and out of game measures were discussed as assessments for quality and impact by our expert panel. Conclusions This study shows that interventions should focus on whether greater utilization of serious games, and the incorporation of theory and standardized methods, can encourage young men to get vaccinated and to complete the series of HPV vaccinations.

Digital Health Interventions to Improve Adolescent HPV Vaccination: A Systematic Review

“…Gamification features, such as audiovisual interfaces, interactive quizzes, reward systems, and unique characters, can be used to debunk myths about the vaccine in entertaining ways [ 65 ], and drive emotional engagement in players [ 66 ]. Game-based interventions may appeal to adolescents [ 67 , 68 ] and parents who are adept with technology and accept games to advocate controversial health issues such as HPV vaccination [ 69 ].…”

A Counseling Mobile App to Reduce the Psychosocial Impact of Human Papillomavirus Testing: Formative Research Using a User-Centered Design Approach in a Low-Middle-Income Setting in Argentina

“…We relied on constructs from the health belief model (HBM) [ 55 ] and the integrated behavioral model (IBM) [ 56 ]. Both have been successfully used to explain interventions linked to CC prevention and mHealth intervention [ 57 - 61 ]. Following these models, we posited that the intention to adhere to follow-up after a positive HPV test result is determined by changing attitudes (eg, change of fatalistic thoughts about CC prevention and reduced fear), perceived norms (eg, increased value of cancer prevention care), and self-efficacy (eg, reduced perceptions about barriers to CC prevention and increased motivation to perform follow-up procedures) [ 55 , 56 ].…”