Implementation of a Postpartum HPV Vaccination Program in a Southeast Texas Hospital: A Qualitative Study Evaluating Health Care Provider Acceptance.
Introduction The objective of this qualitative study was to assess healthcare providers' acceptability of an ongoing postpartum human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination program in Southeast Texas and its integration into everyday clinical care. Methods In 2012, the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) began offering HPV vaccination as part of standard postpartum care to increase vaccination rates among young women in Galveston County. Initial vaccine doses were offered on the postpartum unit while subsequent doses were coordinated with postpartum and well-baby visits. Thirty months after project initiation, semi-structured interviews of physicians (n = 12) and nurses (n = 6) involved in postpartum and pediatric care at UTMB were conducted. Interview transcripts were analyzed using thematic analysis in Nvivo10. Results Overall, providers demonstrated "pro-vaccine" attitudes and stated the program was an effective strategy for vaccinating hard-to-reach women. Cancer prevention was the main perceived benefit while follow-up compliance was the primary perceived patient barrier. The initial challenges with integrating postpartum HPV vaccination included miscommunication between providers regarding vaccine orders and coordination issues with well-baby visits for follow-up doses. One novel finding was providers' beliefs that women's personal HPV vaccine practices may positively impact their decisions about later vaccinating their children against HPV. Providers' suggestions to improve the program included: enhancing postpartum HPV vaccine education for patients, offering more continuing education for providers, and increasing community awareness of HPV vaccination. Discussion These findings can help providers of postpartum care understand how to integrate postpartum HPV vaccination into their current practices and how to overcome perceived vaccination barriers.
Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Women's Health, University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Boulevard, Galveston, TX, 77550-0587, USA.|Department of Public Health Sciences, Xavier University of Louisiana, New Orleans, LA, USA.
Tyra T
TT
Gross
Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Women's Health, University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Boulevard, Galveston, TX, 77550-0587, USA.
Mahbubur
M
Rahman
Department of BioSciences, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA.
Abigail
A
M Wright
Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Women's Health, University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Boulevard, Galveston, TX, 77550-0587, USA.
Jacqueline
J
M Hirth
Sealy Center for Vaccine Development, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.
Kwabena O
KO
Sarpong
Sealy Center for Vaccine Development, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.
Richard E
RE
Rupp
Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.
Alan
A
D Barrett
Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Women's Health, University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Boulevard, Galveston, TX, 77550-0587, USA. abberens@utmb.edu.
Abbey B
AB
Berenson
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000523:psychology*; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D053918:Papillomavirus Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D011181:Postnatal Care; D011247:Pregnancy; D015397:Program Evaluation; D036301:Qualitative Research; D016387:Women's Health
D053918:Papillomavirus Vaccines
HPV vaccination, postpartum care; Qualitative; Women’s health