Human papillomavirus vaccine uptake in boys and girls in a school-based vaccine delivery program in Prince Edward Island, Canada

A systematic literature review of human papillomavirus vaccination strategies in delivery systems within national and regional immunization programs

The uptake of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine remains suboptimal despite being a part of routine vaccination within national immunization program(s). This indicates probable challenges with the implementation of HPV immunization program(s) in various countries. The objective of this systematic literature review (SLR) was to identify implementation strategies for HPV vaccination within national and regional immunization programs worldwide with an aim to provide guidance for countries targeting to increase their HPV vaccine coverage rate (VCR). A comprehensive literature search was conducted across Medline and Embase and included articles published between January 2012 and January 2022. Of the 2,549 articles retrieved, 168 met inclusion criteria and were included in the review. Strategies shown to improve HPV vaccination uptake in the reviewed literature include campaigns to increase community awareness and knowledge of HPV, health care provider trainings, integrating HPV vaccination within school settings, coordinated efforts via multi-sectoral partnerships, and vaccination reminder and recall systems. Findings may help national authorities understand key considerations for HPV vaccination when designing and implementing programs aiming to increase HPV VCR in adolescents.

Assessing sociodemographic disparities in HPV vaccine uptake among grade 6 and 9 students in the Vancouver Coastal Health region

PURPOSE

To identify sociodemographic factors associated with HPV vaccine uptake in a universal, in-school HPV vaccination program, among grade 6 and 9 students in the regional health authority of Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH), British Columbia (BC), Canada during the 2021/22 school year. VCH operates within the southwest corner of the province of BC serving a mix of urban and rural regions. HPV vaccine is offered in school to all grade 6 students using a two-dose series, with catch up immunizations offered to students in grade 9.

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional study of grade 6 and 9 students enrolled in VCH schools for the 2021/22 school year, who also resided within the VCH region. We modelled the associations between sociodemographic explanatory variables (individual-level and group-level) and fully vaccinated outcome using a cross-classified (non-nested) multilevel model.

RESULTS

Among the 17,939 students eligible, 74 % were fully vaccinated for HPV. Immunization coverage was associated with grade, geographic area of residence, school category, social and material deprivation. We demonstrated that grade modified the association between material deprivation and being fully vaccinated. Grade 9 students, including those residing in more materially deprived neighbourhoods, had substantially higher odds (OR 2.01 [95 % CI 1.08, 3.75]) of being fully vaccinated relative to grade 6 students in the least materially deprived neighbourhoods.

CONCLUSIONS

Though publicly funded HPV vaccine is offered to all students in grade 6 and 9, in a space that maximizes programmatic access, sociodemographic factors associated with under-immunized populations were identified. This information can be leveraged for strategic targeting of resources to underimmunized schools or students to mitigate impacts. The repeat offering of HPV vaccine in an older grade (grade 9 in BC) is a key programmatic strategy to reach under-immunized populations and should be complemented by other creative approaches.

Stakeholders' experiences with school-based immunization programs during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Canadian Maritimes: A qualitative study

Background

School-based immunization programs (SBIP) support access to routine vaccines for adolescents. Across Canada, the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent public health measures affected SBIP and vaccine uptake. The objectives of this study were to explore 1.) stakeholders' experiences with SBIP and changes to programs during COVID-19 in Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick, and 2.) how the pandemic affected parents' and adolescents' vaccine views.

Study design

Semi-structured interviews with decision makers, healthcare providers, teachers, parents and adolescents between February-August 2023.

Methods

The COM-B model and Theoretical Domains Framework informed interview guides. Deductive and inductive analyses saw participant quotes mapped to relevant model components and domains by two coders. Belief statements were generated within each stakeholder group then compared to identify themes and subthemes.

Results

Participants (n = 39) identified five themes: 1) enablers to SBIP delivery, 2) barriers to SBIP delivery, 3) desired changes to SBIP delivery, 4) student anxiety, and 5) vaccination views and changes since the COVID-19 pandemic. Public health measures facilitated more space for clinics, as did taking smaller cohorts of students. School staff-healthcare provider relationships could help or hinder programs, particularly with high turnover in both professions during the pandemic. Adolescents played a passive role in vaccine decision making, with mothers often being the sole decision maker. We did not identify any changes in hesitancy towards routine vaccines since the pandemic.

Conclusions

We identified a range of barriers and enablers to SBIP, many of which were exacerbated by the pandemic. Efforts are needed to ensure SBIP and catch-up programming remains accessible for all adolescents to catch-up on missed vaccines before graduation. Parents and adolescents' vaccination views suggest changes in vaccine coverage since the pandemic may be due to accessibility of services rather than vaccine hesitancy. Future research is needed to engage adolescents in their vaccine decisions.

Characteristics of immunisation support programmes in Canada: a scoping review and environmental scan

OBJECTIVE

To identify, characterise and map the existing knowledge about programmes that provide immunisation support to Canadians and barriers and facilitators to their delivery.

DESIGN

Scoping review and environmental scan.

INTRODUCTION

Vaccine hesitancy may be associated with unmet support needs of individuals. Immunisation support programmes that provide multicomponent approaches can improve vaccine confidence and equitable access.

INCLUSION CRITERIA

Canadian programmes that focus on providing information about immunisation for the general public, but excluding articles targeting health professionals. The primary concept involves mapping the characteristics of programmes and our secondary concept examines barriers and facilitators to programme delivery.

METHODS

The Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology guided this review, reported using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews. A search strategy was developed and translated for six databases in November 2021 (updated October 2022). Unpublished literature was identified through the Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health Grey Matters checklist and other relevant sources. Stakeholders (n=124) from Canadian regional health authorities were also contacted by email for publicly accessible information. Two independent raters screened and extracted data from identified material. Results are presented in tabular form.

RESULTS

The search strategy and environmental scan resulted in 15 287 sources. A total of 161 full-text sources were reviewed after applying eligibility criteria, resulting in 50 articles. Programmes were delivered in multiple Canadian provinces, focusing on various vaccine types. All programmes aimed to increase vaccine uptake and were mostly provided in person. Multidisciplinary delivery teams based on collaborations among multiple entities were credited as a facilitator to programme delivery across settings. Limitations on programme resources, attitudes of programme staff and participants, and systems organisation were identified as barriers to delivery.

CONCLUSIONS

This review highlighted characteristics of immunisation support programmes across various settings and described multiple facilitators and barriers. These findings can inform future interventions that aim to support Canadians in making decisions about immunisation.

Improving adolescent human papillomavirus (HPV) immunization uptake in school-based health centers through awareness campaigns

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to measure the effect of a multicomponent human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine promotion campaign on adolescent HPV vaccine uptake at school-based health centers (SBHCs) in Seattle, WA.

METHODS

Youth-led HPV vaccine promotion campaigns were introduced in 2016 in 13 schools with SBHCs in Seattle. Five other schools with SBHCs served as controls. Vaccination records for students were obtained from the Washington Immunization Information System from September 2012 to August 2018. We compared increase in HPV vaccine uptake in SBHCs between 1) intervention and control schools, and 2) pre- and post-intervention periods in intervention schools using generalized estimating equations.

RESULTS

HPV vaccine uptake was high at baseline among students that use SBHCs for vaccines and has steadily increased between 2012 and 2018. Implementing the promotion campaign resulted in 14% higher (95% Confidence Interval (CI): 1%, 30%) HPV vaccine uptake in intervention SBHCs compared to control SBHCs, adjusting for time and confounders. Comparing pre-and post-intervention periods in intervention SBHCs, HPV vaccine uptake was 14% higher (95% CI: -4%, 35%) in the post-intervention period. SBHCs that received more active intervention activities saw 9% higher (95% CI: 1%, 21%) vaccine uptake compared to those that received passive intervention.

CONCLUSION

The vaccination promotion program implemented in a school-based setting resulted in higher HPV vaccine uptake in the post-intervention period compared to pre-intervention period, but this increase was not statistically significant. Even so, schools that received more intervention activities for longer periods of time had higher HPV vaccine uptake.

Review of Evidence and Recommendation for Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccination of Canadian Males Over the Age of 26 Years

Human papillomavirus (HPV) remains the most common sexually transmitted infection with a lifetime incidence of over 75%. Based on US data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 64% of invasive HPV-associated cancers are attributable to HPV 16 or 18 (65% for females; 63% males) and may be prevented by vaccination with either the quadrivalent or nonavalent HPV vaccine. Public HPV vaccination programs are now the norm for women aged 9-45 years and men aged 9-26 years in Canada. Yet, only recently have guidelines begun to consider vaccination of men older than 26 years of age. There now exist compelling reasons to recommend vaccination against HPV amongst males >26 years of age. Recognizing that the risks posed by HPV infection persist beyond 26 years of age, that the vaccination of men aged 26-45 years with HPV vaccine confers immunogenicity at levels demonstrably efficacious against HPV-related diseases, and that the Food and Drug Administration recently expanded the HPV vaccination to include older men, it is argued that HPV vaccination in men older than 26 years of age should be routinely recommended.

Human Papillomavirus vaccine coverage among female students in Brunei Darussalam: results from the first 4 years of the national school-based vaccination programme

Background

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is the leading cause of cervical cancer. HPV vaccination among girls (ages 9-14) is an effective way to prevent infection. Since 2012, Brunei Darussalam has implemented the National School-based HPV Vaccination programme which aims to vaccinate all female school students of 10-17 years old. This study was conducted to calculate and descriptively compare the coverage rates of all private and government secondary school students at both national and district levels, along with the parental consent rate.

Methods

HPV vaccination records of all female students between January 2012 and December 2015 were retrospectively extracted from the School Health Services, Ministry of Health. Descriptive statistics were used to report the overall and annual vaccination coverage rate (by district, class year, nationality and type of school) and parental consent rate.

Results

A total of 27,178 female students were recorded during the study period, with an overall complete dose coverage rate of 85.8% (95% CI: 85.4%, 86.2%) and 90.8% (95% CI: 90.4%, 91.2%) for all and Bruneian female students, respectively. A similar trend could be observed each year, where there is a decrease in the coverage rate from the first, second and complete doses. Brunei-Muara had the lowest vaccination coverage and parental consent rates among the country's four districts. We also observed higher HPV vaccination coverage rate for government students. Parental consent rate of Bruneian students were considerably higher than that of non-Bruneian students.

Conclusion

Overall, the national school-based vaccination programme has achieved a high complete dose coverage rate in its first 4 years of implementation. Issues identified for this programme are vaccine cost and difficulty to reach students who have missed their scheduled vaccination in schools. The programme can be further improved by identifying other barriers of accepting and completing their HPV vaccine dose schedule.

Recombinant human papillomavirus nonavalent vaccine in the prevention of cancers caused by human papillomavirus

Human papillomavirus (HPV) types 16 and 18 cause 70% of cervical cancer cases globally. The nonavalent HPV vaccine (9vHPV) was licensed in 2014 and protects against the next five most common cancer-causing HPV types (HPV 31/33/45/52/58) after HPV 16/18. Phase III clinical studies have demonstrated high vaccine efficacy (>90%) against cervical, vulvar, and vaginal precancers caused by these additional types, and have shown comparable immunogenicity to the shared genotypes to quadrivalent HPV vaccine (4vHPV). Vaccine efficacy and antibody responses for 9vHPV are found to persist for at least five years while longer-term observational studies are ongoing to monitor long-term vaccine effectiveness. The implementation of 9vHPV has the potential to prevent up to 93% of cervical cancer cases, as well as a significant proportion of other HPV-related anogenital cancers. This review article summarizes the current evidence for 9vHPV in terms of vaccine efficacy against HPV infection and related anogenital precancers, safety, and immunogenicity, as well as discussing the potential impact of this vaccine on the cervical cancer burden globally.

Policy opportunities to increase HPV vaccination in rural communities

Rural communities experience health disparities, including elevated incidence and mortality of human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated cancers and correspondingly low HPV vaccination rates. There are numerous policy strategies that are available at multiple levels - patient, provider, clinic, community, state, and national - to address geographic, clinical, and communication barriers to HPV vaccination across rural America. Examples include policy development, implementation, and evaluation of healthcare provider and clinic-based assessment and education initiatives; school entry requirements; school, pharmacy, and community-based vaccination programs; evidence-based, community-driven communication efforts; and increased interventional research in rural communities. Strategically implemented policy measures will contribute to reduction in the incidence and mortality from HPV-related cancers through increased access to HPV vaccination in our rural communities.

Parents' uptake of human papillomavirus vaccines for their children: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies

OBJECTIVE

To examine factors associated with parents' uptake of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines for their children.

DESIGN

Systematic review and meta-analysis.

DATA SOURCES

Cochrane Library, AIDSLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, PsycINFO, Social Sciences Abstracts, Ovid MEDLINE, Scholars Portal, Social Sciences Citation Index and Dissertation Abstracts International from inception through November 2017.

METHODS

We included studies that sampled parents and assessed uptake of HPV vaccines for their children (≤18 years) and/or sociodemographics, knowledge, attitudes or other factors associated with uptake. Study risk of bias was assessed using the Effective Public Health Practice Project tool. We pooled data using random-effects meta-analysis and conducted moderation analyses to examine variance in uptake by sex of child and parent.

RESULTS

Seventy-nine studies on 840 838 parents across 15 countries were included. The pooled proportion of parents' uptake of HPV vaccines for their children was 41.5% (range: 0.7%-92.8%), twofold higher for girls (46.5%) than for boys (20.3%). In the meta-analysis of 62 studies, physician recommendation (r=0.46 (95% CI 0.34 to 0.56)) had the greatest influence on parents' uptake, followed by HPV vaccine safety concerns (r=-0.31 (95% CI -0.41 to -0.16)), routine child preventive check-up, past 12 months (r=0.22 (95% CI 0.11 to 0.33)) and parents' belief in vaccines (r=0.19 (95% CI 0.08 to 0.29)). Health insurance-covered HPV vaccination (r=0.16 (95% CI 0.04 to 0.29)) and lower out-of-pocket cost (r=-0.15 (95% CI -0.22 to -0.07)) had significant effects on uptake. We found significant moderator effects for sex of child.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings indicate suboptimal levels of HPV vaccine uptake, twofold lower among boys, that may be improved by increasing physician recommendations, addressing parental safety concerns and promoting parents' positive beliefs about vaccines, in addition to expanding insurance coverage and reducing out-of-pocket costs. Limitations of this meta-analysis include the lack of intervention studies and high risk of bias in most studies reviewed. Further studies should disaggregate HPV vaccine uptake by sex of child and parent.

Can School-Located Vaccination Have a Major Impact on Human Papillomavirus Vaccination Rates in the United States?

School-local vaccination (SLV) has been a highly effective method of increasing rates of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination in many countries internationally in which vaccines are purchased by national, regional, or local public health authorities and offered free of charge within schools. However, the effectiveness of SLV for increasing HPV vaccination rates in the United States is likely to be substantially limited due to a number of identified barriers, the most significant of which is with the need to bill for vaccines among adolescents not covered under the Vaccines for Children Program. HPV vaccination within school-based health centers (SBHCs) has been much more effective than SLV, but SBHCs exist in only 2% of schools in the United States. The opportunity gap between the United States and other countries will remain unless reimbursement issues related to HPV delivery in schools can be addressed in a sustainable manner or SBHCs become much more common.

The Uptake of Human Papillomavirus Vaccination and Its Associated Factors Among Adolescents: A Systematic Review

Background: The purpose of this review was to explore the uptake of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination, its associated factors, and the facilitators of and barriers to HPV vaccination among adolescents. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted through 5 electronic databases, including PubMed, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, Medline, and PsycInfo from January 2006 to March 2015 for studies examining the uptake, awareness, knowledge, acceptability, and intention of adolescents with regard to HPV vaccination. Results: Twenty-eight studies were identified and included. The HPV vaccination uptake rate (at least 1 dose) varied significantly among countries, ranging from 2.4% to 94.4%. Scotland achieved the highest uptake of all the studies included in this review, while Hong Kong had the lowest, at 2.4% to 9.1%. This review also showed that adolescents had limited awareness and knowledge of HPV infections and vaccines, even 10 years after the vaccine had become available. Conclusions: It is recommended that barriers to the uptake of the vaccine should be addressed, and that school-based sexual health education of HPV infection and vaccine promotion should be reinforced.

Investigating Canadian parents' HPV vaccine knowledge, attitudes and behaviour: a study protocol for a longitudinal national online survey

INTRODUCTION

Human papillomavirus (HPV), a sexually transmitted infection, can cause anogenital warts and a number of cancers. To prevent morbidity and mortality, three vaccines have been licensed and are recommended by Canada's National Advisory Committee on Immunisation (for girls since 2007 and boys since 2012). Nevertheless, HPV vaccine coverage in Canada remains suboptimal in many regions. This study will be the first to concurrently examine the correlates of HPV vaccine decision-making in parents of school-aged girls and boys and evaluate changes in parental knowledge, attitudes and behaviours over time.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

Using a national, online survey utilising theoretically driven constructs and validated measures, this study will identify HPV vaccine coverage rates and correlates of vaccine decision-making in Canada at two time points (August-September 2016 and June-July 2017). 4606 participants will be recruited to participate in an online survey through a market research and polling firm using email invitations. Data cleaning methods will identify inattentive or unmotivated participants.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

The study received research ethics board approval from the Research Review Office, Integrated Health and Social Services University Network for West-Central Montreal (CODIM-FLP-16-219). The study will adopt a multimodal approach to disseminate the study's findings to researchers, clinicians, cancer and immunisation organisations and the public in Canada and internationally.

Cervical Cancer Prevention Through HPV Vaccination in Low- and Middle-Income Countries in Asia

Cervical cancer is ranked the first or second most common cancer in women of low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) in Asia. Cervical cancer is almost exclusively caused by human papillomavirus (HPV), and majority of the cases can be prevented with the use of HPV vaccines. The HPV vaccines have demonstrated high vaccine efficacies against HPV infection and cervical cancer precursors in clinical and post-marketing studies, and are in use in most high-income countries. However, their use in LMICs are limited mainly due to the high costs and logistics in delivering multiple doses of the vaccine. Other issues such as the safety of the vaccines, social and cultural factors, as well as poor knowledge and awareness of the virus have also contributed to the low uptake of the vaccine. This mini-review focuses on the need for HPV vaccine implementation in Asia given the substantial disease burden and underuse of HPV vaccines in LMICs in this region. In addition, the progress towards HPV vaccine introduction, and barriers preventing further rollout of these essential, life-saving vaccines are also discussed in this article.

Human Papillomavirus Vaccination Uptake in Canada: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most commonly sexually transmitted infection in the world and the primary cause of cervical cancer. Canada introduced publicly funded HPV vaccination programs in 2006. The objectives of this study are twofold and aim to (1) determine the levels and (2) examine the various factors influencing vaccine uptake among the general Canadian population. A literature search was conducted on seven databases, followed by screening, methodological quality review (using modified Newcastle-Ottawa Scale), and data extraction. Pooled meta-analysis and a subgroup analysis were conducted stratifying by a number of variables (age, sex, type of program, and method of payment) determined apriori. A total of 718 peer-reviewed articles were initially identified with 12 remaining after screening and underwent methodological quality review. HPV vaccination uptake in Canada varied from 12.40% (95% confidence interval [CI] 6.77–20.26) to 88.20% (95% CI 85.72–90.39). The pooled random effects model showed the HPV vaccination uptake to be 55.92% (95% CI 44.87–66.65). The subgroup analysis showed that vaccination uptake was 66.95% (95% CI 55.00–77.89) in participants ≤ 18 years as compared to 13.58% (95% CI 10.93–16.46) in participants > 18 years. Uptake for females was higher 57.23% (95% CI: 45.40–68.66) when compared to that of 47.01% (95% CI: 0.82–97.75) in males. HPV vaccine uptake among school-based programs was 69.62% (95% CI 57.27–80.68) as compared to 18.66% (95% CI 6.66–34.92) for community-based programs. Vaccination uptake for publicly funded programs was significantly higher 66.95% (95% CI 55.00–77.89) when compared to 13.58% (95% CI 10.92–16.46) for programs where participants had to pay out of pocket. To prevent infections and reduce the burden of HPV-related diseases (including cervical cancer), communities should be made aware and encouraged to vaccinate their children. There is a documented need to direct effort and focus interventions toward improving HPV vaccination uptake in Canada.

A Multiple Streams analysis of the decisions to fund gender-neutral HPV vaccination in Canada

In Canada, the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is licensed and recommended for females and males. Although all Canadian jurisdictions fund school-based HPV vaccine programs for girls, only six jurisdictions fund school-based HPV vaccination for boys. The research aimed to analyze the factors that underpin government decisions to fund HPV vaccine for boys using a theoretical policy model, Kingdon's Multiple Streams framework. This approach assesses policy development by examining three concurrent, but independent, streams that guide analysis: Problem Stream, Policy Stream, and Politics Stream. Analysis from the Problem Stream highlights that males are affected by HPV-related diseases and are involved in transmitting HPV infection to their sexual partners. Policy Stream analysis makes clear that while the inclusion of males in HPV vaccine programs is suitable, equitable, and acceptable; there is debate regarding cost-effectiveness. Politics Stream analysis identifies the perspectives of six different stakeholder groups and highlights the contribution of government officials at the provincial and territorial level. Kingdon's Multiple Streams framework helps clarify the opportunities and barriers for HPV vaccine policy change. This analysis identified that the interpretation of cost-effectiveness models and advocacy of stakeholders such as citizen-advocates and HPV-affected politicians have been particularly important in galvanizing policy change.

Extending and validating a human papillomavirus (HPV) knowledge measure in a national sample of Canadian parents of boys

As the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is now recommended for males, a reliable, comprehensive HPV knowledge measurement tool which addresses issues relevant to males is needed. We aimed to replicate, validate and test the comprehensiveness of an existing general HPV and an HPV vaccination knowledge scale in English and French. We also measured parental HPV knowledge and changes over time. An online questionnaire was administered in February (Time 1; T1) and November 2014 (Time 2; T2) to a nationally representative sample of Canadian parents of boys. Dimensionality, internal consistency and model fit were evaluated at both time points and separately in English and French sub-samples. Differences in knowledge scores were measured. Analyses were performed on 3117 participants at T1 and 1427 at T2. The 25-item HPV general knowledge and an 11-item HPV vaccination scale were unidimensional, showed high internal consistency (α>0.87, α>0.73) and had good model fit. Both general HPV and vaccine-specific knowledge significantly increased over time in both languages, but remained low at T2, with only about half of the items being answered correctly. Correct responses at T2 are best explained by correct responses at T1, with some small changes from 'Don't know' at T1 to correct at T2. The extended general and vaccine-specific knowledge scales are valid, reliable and comprehensive, and could be used among parents of boys, in both English and French. Educational interventions could target specific knowledge gaps and focus on providing information rather than correcting misconceptions.

Interventions to Improve HPV Vaccine Uptake: A Systematic Review

CONTEXT

The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is a safe, effective cancer prevention method that is underutilized in the United States. Despite increased understanding of barriers to vaccination, rates remain low. Globally, developed and developing nations have achieved high rates of vaccination.

OBJECTIVE

Identification of effective strategies is necessary to optimize uptake of the HPV vaccine. We systematically reviewed the literature for national and international interventions that have successfully increased HPV vaccine uptake.

DATA SOURCES

We used a standardized protocol to search for articles published between January 1, 2006, and April 30, 2015, in 3 electronic databases: PubMed, Scopus, and Embase.

STUDY SELECTION

We identified interventions designed to increase HPV vaccine uptake among adolescents and young adults aged 11 to 26 years. All study designs were acceptable. Only articles that included postintervention vaccination rates were included.

DATA EXTRACTION

Two authors independently reviewed each article for data extraction and quality assessment. Interventions were classified according to the Community Preventive Service Task Force guide.

RESULTS

Results were reported according to the RE-AIM (Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, Maintenance) framework. Fifty-one articles met eligibility criteria: 2 informational interventions, 18 behavioral interventions, and 31 environmental interventions. Factors associated with HPV vaccine uptake were increased vaccine availability, decreased financial barriers, and interventions targeting both providers and patients.

LIMITATIONS

Lack of consistent RE-AIM metric reporting, limiting our ability to assess intervention validity and quality.

CONCLUSIONS

Population-based vaccination strategies that increased vaccine availability reached the greatest number of adolescents and were most successful in achieving high rates of vaccination.

Estimates and determinants of HPV non-vaccination and vaccine refusal in girls 12 to 14 y of age in Canada: Results from the Childhood National Immunization Coverage Survey, 2013

Since the introduction of HPV vaccination programs in Canada in 2007, coverage has been below public health goals in many provinces and territories. This analysis investigated the determinants of HPV non-vaccination and vaccine refusal. Data from the Childhood National Immunization Coverage Survey (CNICS) 2013 were used to estimate the prevalence of HPV non-vaccination and parental vaccine refusal in girls aged 12-14 years, for Canada and the provinces and territories. Multivariate logistic regression was used to examine factors associated with non-vaccination and vaccine refusal, after adjusting for potential confounders. An estimated 27.7% of 12-14 y old girls had not been vaccinated against HPV, and 14.4% of parents reported refusing the vaccine. The magnitude of non-vaccination and vaccine refusal varied by province or territory and also by responding parent's country of birth. In addition, higher education was associated with a higher risk of refusal of the HPV vaccine. Rates of HPV non-vaccination and of refusal of the HPV vaccine differ and are influenced by different variables. These findings warrant further investigation.

HPV vaccine uptake among overweight and obese US adolescents: An analysis of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2009-2014

BACKGROUND

Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine uptake in the US is suboptimal; identifying risk factors associated with low vaccine uptake is critical to increase vaccination coverage. Some evidence suggests body mass index (BMI) is associated with low HPV vaccine uptake and increased risk of HPV infection in adults. BMI may therefore be an important factor in targeting HPV vaccine to US adolescents.

METHODS

We investigated the relationship between BMI categories (underweight, normal weight, overweight and obese) and HPV vaccine uptake in 4109 adolescents (9-18 years old) using data from the 2009 to 2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). We used modified Poisson regression to assess the relationship between BMI and receipt of at least one HPV vaccine, and BMI and completion of the vaccine three-dose series. We assessed the relationship between BMI and age at first HPV vaccination using linear regression.

RESULTS

Receipt of at least one dose of HPV vaccine was low in both females (35%) and males (10%). High BMI was not associated with initiation of the HPV vaccine series, age at first HPV vaccination, or completion of the HPV vaccine three-dose course.

CONCLUSIONS

We found no evidence that high BMI is associated with reduced initiation or completion of the HPV vaccination series, or age at initiation of the three-dose course among a general population sample of US adolescents. Our results suggest that efforts to increase HPV vaccine uptake need not consider targeting by weight status at this time.

Sauver JL, Finney Rutten LJ. The most effective and promising population health strategies to advance human papillomavirus vaccination

The US is failing to make substantive progress toward improving rates of human papillomavirus vaccine uptake. While the Healthy People 2020 goal for human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination is 80%, the three-dose completion rate in the US in 2014 for 13- to 17-year-old females is less than 40%, and the rate for males is just above 20%. Experts point to a number of reasons for the poor HPV vaccination rates including parental concerns about safety, necessity, and timing. However, the evidence refuting these concerns is substantial. Efforts focusing on education and communication have not shown promise, but several population health strategies have reminder/recall systems; practice-focused strategies targeting staff, clinicians, and parents; assessment and feedback activities; and school-based HPV vaccination programs.

'I didn't even know boys could get the vaccine': Parents' reasons for human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination decision making for their sons

OBJECTIVE

The study's objective was to examine parents' reasons for their decision to vaccinate their 9-16-year-old sons with the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine.

METHODS

Using the precaution adoption process model (PAPM), parents were classified according to one of six stages of decision making: unaware, unengaged, undecided, decided not to vaccinate, decided to vaccinate, or vaccinated. Parents responded to an open-ended question: 'What would influence your decision to have your son vaccinated or not against HPV?'

RESULTS

Three thousand one hundred and seventeen parents provided 2,874 interpretable narrative responses that were coded using thematic content analyses. The majority of parents were in the earlier precaution adoption process model stages, that is, unaware that the HPV vaccine could be given to boys (57.0%), unengaged (20.9%), or undecided (9.1%). Needing more information, vaccine cost, risks associated with vaccination, and wanting a doctor's recommendation influenced these earlier-staged parents' decisions. Parents who decided not to vaccinate their sons (6.8%) reported their decision was due to the risks, insufficient research, lack of confidence in vaccines, and/or no need for the vaccine (as their sons are not sexually active and/or too young). Parents who had decided to vaccinate their sons (5.0%) or who had vaccinated their sons (1.1%) reported that their decisions were based on protecting their sons' health and preventing disease.

CONCLUSION

There are important differences in the factors that influence parents' decision depending on where they are along the decision-making trajectory. Assuring that parents are well informed about the importance of male vaccination, reducing vaccine cost, accurately communicating vaccine safety, and improving patient-provider communication may augment vaccine coverage and prevent HPV-associated cancers in Canada. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.