INTRODUCTION: Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination rates remain marginal across the U.S., including Kentucky, a state recognized for increased HPV-related cancer burden. School-based HPV immunization programs may be a viable approach to improving vaccination initiation and completion rates among youth. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to design, implement, and evaluate a school-based HPV vaccination program conducted in rural south-central Kentucky. METHODS: Guided by evidence-based approaches to increasing immunization rates, the practical expertise of school nursing staff, and a detailed study protocol, academic and health department-based investigators implemented an HPV vaccination project in two high schools during the 2012-2013 academic year; data were analyzed in 2013-2014. Rates of returned parental consent forms, parental consent/declination, and HPV vaccination rates were documented. RESULTS: At the beginning of the school year, all 935 students at the two schools were given HPV vaccination parental consent forms. Five hundred eleven students returned consent forms (55% return rate), and 447 of these students were HPV vaccine naïve (87%). Of these students, 315 (70%) initiated the vaccine series, with 276 (62%) completing the entire three-dose series, so that 88% of students initiating the vaccine series successfully completed the series. In estimating rates for the entire school body, 45% of students had received all three doses by the end of the project. CONCLUSIONS: Despite study design limitations, results of this project provide further evidence about school-based immunization programs as an effective strategy for improving HPV vaccination rates among Kentucky and U.S. adolescents.
INTRODUCTION:Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination rates remain marginal across the U.S., including Kentucky, a state recognized for increased HPV-related cancer burden. School-based HPV immunization programs may be a viable approach to improving vaccination initiation and completion rates among youth. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to design, implement, and evaluate a school-based HPV vaccination program conducted in rural south-central Kentucky. METHODS: Guided by evidence-based approaches to increasing immunization rates, the practical expertise of school nursing staff, and a detailed study protocol, academic and health department-based investigators implemented an HPV vaccination project in two high schools during the 2012-2013 academic year; data were analyzed in 2013-2014. Rates of returned parental consent forms, parental consent/declination, and HPV vaccination rates were documented. RESULTS: At the beginning of the school year, all 935 students at the two schools were given HPV vaccination parental consent forms. Five hundred eleven students returned consent forms (55% return rate), and 447 of these students were HPV vaccine naïve (87%). Of these students, 315 (70%) initiated the vaccine series, with 276 (62%) completing the entire three-dose series, so that 88% of students initiating the vaccine series successfully completed the series. In estimating rates for the entire school body, 45% of students had received all three doses by the end of the project. CONCLUSIONS: Despite study design limitations, results of this project provide further evidence about school-based immunization programs as an effective strategy for improving HPV vaccination rates among Kentucky and U.S. adolescents.
Authors: Rose Gunn; Laura K Ferrara; Caitlin Dickinson; Isabel Stock; Jennifer Griffith-Weprin; Amy Wiser; Brigit Hatch; L J Fagnan; Patricia A Carney; Melinda M Davis Journal: Am J Prev Med Date: 2020-06-27 Impact factor: 5.043
Authors: Ana Maria Lopez; Lauren Hudson; Nathan L Vanderford; Robin Vanderpool; Jennifer Griggs; Mara Schonberg Journal: Am Soc Clin Oncol Educ Book Date: 2019-05-17
Authors: Peng-Jun Lu; David Yankey; Benjamin Fredua; Mei-Chuan Hung; Tanja Y Walker; Lauri E Markowitz; Laurie D Elam-Evans Journal: J Adolesc Health Date: 2021-04-16 Impact factor: 7.830
Authors: Sapna Kaul; Thuy Quynh N Do; Enshuo Hsu; Kathleen M Schmeler; Jane R Montealegre; Ana M Rodriguez Journal: Papillomavirus Res Date: 2019-10-22