Human Papillomavirus Vaccine Uptake After a Tailored, Online Educational Intervention for Female University Students: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
BACKGROUND
Educational interventions may be a strategy to increase human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination among female university students, but studies to date have shown mixed results. This study evaluated the effect of MeFirst, an individually tailored, online educational intervention, on HPV vaccine-related knowledge, vaccination intention, and uptake among previously unvaccinated female university students.


METHODS
All female students aged 18-26 years who reported being unvaccinated against HPV at a midwestern university were invited via email to enroll. Participants completed an online survey that assessed baseline HPV vaccine-related knowledge, attitudes and vaccination intention. Participants (n = 661) were then randomized to receive either an educational website automatically tailored to their baseline survey responses (MeFirst intervention) or a standard CDC information factsheet on HPV vaccine (control). Vaccine uptake and repeat knowledge and attitude measures were assessed with online surveys 3 months following the intervention and analyzed using logistic regression models.


RESULTS
HPV vaccine uptake was similar in both the MeFirst and control groups at 3 months following the intervention (p = 0.98). Three months after the intervention, the proportion of participants with high knowledge regarding HPV vaccination increased from baseline (32% to 50%; p < 0.0001) but the proportion with favorable intention was unchanged.


CONCLUSIONS
We found that an individually tailored, online educational tool had similar effects as a nontailored factsheet on HPV-related knowledge, intention to HPV undergo vaccination, and HPV vaccine uptake among previously unvaccinated female university students.
1 Program on Women's Health Care Effectiveness Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan Medical School , Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Alaina T
AT
Bennett
1 Program on Women's Health Care Effectiveness Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan Medical School , Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Divya A
DA
Patel
2 Department of Radiology, University of Michigan Medical School , Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Ruth C
RC
Carlos
1 Program on Women's Health Care Effectiveness Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan Medical School , Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Melissa K
MK
Zochowski
3 Center for Health Communications Research, University of Michigan , Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Sarah M
SM
Pennewell
1 Program on Women's Health Care Effectiveness Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan Medical School , Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Alice M
AM
Chi
1 Program on Women's Health Care Effectiveness Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan Medical School , Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Vanessa K
VK
Dalton
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D033182:Intention; D016015:Logistic Models; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D053918:Papillomavirus Vaccines; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014495:Universities; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014611:Vaccination / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult
D053918:Papillomavirus Vaccines