Eve Dubé1,2,3, Sarah Wilson4,5,6, Dominique Gagnon1, Shelley L Deeks4,5, Vinita Dubey5,7. 1. Département des risques biologiques et de la santé au travail, Institut National de Santé Publique du Québec (INSPQ) , Québec, Canada. 2. Axe Maladies infectieuses et immunitaires, Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval , Québec, Canada. 3. Université Laval , Québec, Canada. 4. Department of Communicable Diseases, Emergency Preparedness and Response, Public Health Ontario , Ontario, Canada. 5. Department of Clinical Public Health, Dalla Lana School of Public Health , Ontario, Canada. 6. ICES , Ontario, Canada. 7. Toronto Public Health and the Canadian Immunization Research Network , Ontario, Canada.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Describe Ontario's school-based human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination program from the perspective of local public health units (PHUs). METHODS: In 2018, Vaccine Preventable Diseases (VPD) managers at each of Ontario's 35 PHUs were invited to participate in an online survey regarding the organization and delivery of their HPV vaccination program. Questions were asked on the school-based program, training and support of vaccine providers, communication and promotion, assessing coverage rates and perceptions of the program's strengths and challenges. Descriptive statistics were generated for close-ended items. A thematic content analysis was performed for open-ended items. RESULTS: Eighteen PHUs (54%, n = 19/35) responded. All responding PHUs provided the HPV vaccine in publicly funded schools but only 6 reported being permitted to provide HPV vaccine in private schools. Fact sheets, Q&As or other written information locally developed by the PHUs were the main tools used to communicate with parents (n = 17), students (n = 13), school personnel (n = 13) and school board officials (n = 9). The most frequently reported barriers were: limited program resources, negative perceptions held by parents and/or school staff regarding the HPV vaccine, logistical issues (e.g., getting the consents forms returned, collaboration with schools for vaccine delivery) and the fact that HPV vaccination is not mandatory under Ontario legislation. CONCLUSION: Local public health units that implement HPV vaccine programs in schools identified logistical barriers, public perceptions about the HPV vaccine and the voluntary nature of the program as the main barriers.
OBJECTIVES: Describe Ontario's school-based human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination program from the perspective of local public health units (PHUs). METHODS: In 2018, Vaccine Preventable Diseases (VPD) managers at each of Ontario's 35 PHUs were invited to participate in an online survey regarding the organization and delivery of their HPV vaccination program. Questions were asked on the school-based program, training and support of vaccine providers, communication and promotion, assessing coverage rates and perceptions of the program's strengths and challenges. Descriptive statistics were generated for close-ended items. A thematic content analysis was performed for open-ended items. RESULTS: Eighteen PHUs (54%, n = 19/35) responded. All responding PHUs provided the HPV vaccine in publicly funded schools but only 6 reported being permitted to provide HPV vaccine in private schools. Fact sheets, Q&As or other written information locally developed by the PHUs were the main tools used to communicate with parents (n = 17), students (n = 13), school personnel (n = 13) and school board officials (n = 9). The most frequently reported barriers were: limited program resources, negative perceptions held by parents and/or school staff regarding the HPV vaccine, logistical issues (e.g., getting the consents forms returned, collaboration with schools for vaccine delivery) and the fact that HPV vaccination is not mandatory under Ontario legislation. CONCLUSION: Local public health units that implement HPV vaccine programs in schools identified logistical barriers, public perceptions about the HPV vaccine and the voluntary nature of the program as the main barriers.
Entities:
Keywords:
HPV vaccine; immunization managers; program evaluation; school-based immunization programs
Authors: Johanna Laine; Virpi Kuvaja-Köllner; Eija Pietilä; Mikko Koivuneva; Hannu Valtonen; Eila Kankaanpää Journal: Am J Health Promot Date: 2014 Nov-Dec