Opportunities to increase rates of human papillomavirus vaccination in the New South Wales school program through enhanced catch-up

Sexual Health ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 536 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine Staples ◽  
Michelle Butler ◽  
Jennifer Nguyen ◽  
David N. Durrheim ◽  
Patrick Cashman ◽  
...  

Background The National Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccination Program provides HPV vaccine to high school students through school-based vaccination. We aimed to: 1) assess the vaccine completion rates achieved when general practice is used for completing doses missed at school; 2) estimate the extent of under-notification by general practices of vaccine doses administered; and 3) assess the reasons reported by parents of students for non-completion of HPV vaccination. Methods: A postal survey was conducted of parents and carers of students and identified, using school-program records, as incompletely vaccinated in a large regional area of northern NSW vaccinated during 2010. Information about additional HPV vaccine doses received or reasons for non-completion were sought. Responses were analysed and records cross-checked against the National HPV Vaccination Program Register. Results: Of 660 parents or carers contacted, 207 (31.4%) responded. We found: 1) completion rates increased, an additional 122/207 (45.2%) students had completed all three doses of HPV through their general practitioner (GP); 2) under-notification of GP doses to the National HPV Vaccination Program Register was an issue with only 5/165 (3.0%) reported; 3) the main reason for non-completion was being unaware of the opportunity to catch-up at a GP. Conclusions: Underreporting by GPs of HPV vaccine doses administered and failure to complete courses identifies two opportunities to increase HPV vaccine coverage. These could be addressed by extending provision of catch-up HPV doses in school and by developing practice software solutions for automatic notification of doses from GPs. Reasons given by parents for non-completion, mostly logistical barriers, indicate a high degree of acceptance of HPV vaccination.

Sexual Health ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 520 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luke B. Connelly ◽  
Ha N. D. Le

Background Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines and their widespread adoption have the potential to relieve a large part of the burden of cervical cancer morbidity and mortality, particularly in countries that have low screening rates or, like Japan, lack a cohesive universal screening program. An economic evaluation was conducted to assess the cost-effectiveness of introducing a bivalent HPV vaccination program in Japan from a healthcare perspective. Methods: A Markov model of the natural history of HPV infection that incorporates both vaccination and screening was developed for Japan. The modelled intervention, a bivalent HPV vaccine with a 100% lifetime vaccine efficacy and 80% vaccine coverage, given to a cohort of 12-year-old Japanese girls in conjunction with the current screening program, was compared with screening alone in terms of costs and effectiveness. A discount rate of 5% was applied to both costs and utilities where relevant. Results: Vaccination alongside screening compared with screening alone is associated with an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of US$20 315 per quality-adjusted-life-year gained if 80% coverage is assumed. The ICER at 5% coverage with the vaccine plus screening, compared with screening alone, is US$1158. Conclusion: The cost-effectiveness results suggest that the addition of a HPV vaccination program to Japan’s cervical cancer screening program is highly likely to prove a cost-effective way to reduce the burden of cervical cancer, precancerous lesions and HPV16/18-related diseases.


2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily Ann Groene ◽  
Inari Mohammed ◽  
Keith Horvath ◽  
Nicole E. Basta ◽  
Nicholas Yared ◽  
...  

Background. Although the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine has been approved for use in adolescents in the US for over a decade, vaccination uptake remains low. Of concern, HPV vaccine coverage is below the national average in Minnesota, USA. To understand the reach of current HPV programming and research, we use an online media scan; this method may be applied to other jurisdictions to gain insight about various public health issues.Design and Methods. This online media scan describes the nature and scope of ongoing activities to increase HPV vaccination in Minnesota. The media scan included: a) structured internet searches of HPV vaccine health education/promotion activities ongoing in Minnesota since 2013, and b) searches in research databases of the published literature on HPV vaccination in Minnesota from 2013 to 2018. Results. Searches resulted in 880 online and 142 research article matches, with 40 and 36 meeting selection criteria. Results were categorized by activities focusing on race/ethnicity, sex, health providers, parents, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer or questioning (LGBTQ) populations, geographic location, catchup vaccination, and insurance status. Most activities were statewide (52% health education/promotion and 35% research), followed by activities located in entirely urban areas (15% health education/promotion and 41% research) with only 6% of health education/promotion activities and 2% of research activities carried out in entirely rural areas.Conclusions. A range of local and statewide HPV vaccine health education/promotion and research activities were identified in Minnesota. Several efforts partnered with American Indian and Somali/Somali-American communities, but fewer activities focused on HPV vaccination among LGBTQ youth and HPV vaccination in rural areas.


Sexual Health ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 291 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia M. L. Brotherton ◽  
Julie Leask ◽  
Cath Jackson ◽  
Kirsten McCaffery ◽  
Lyndal J. Trevena

Background: Between 2007 and 2009, Australian general practitioners (GPs) were involved in implementing a population-based human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination program. We investigated GPs’ experiences of delivering the HPV vaccine to women aged 18–26. Methods: We posted a survey to 1000 GPs. The survey was informed by 12 domains incorporating constructs from psychological theories that focus on individual and environmental barriers and facilitators to effective implementation of evidence-based practice by health professionals. Results: The response rate was 32%. The 298 vaccinating GPs were positive about HPV vaccine implementation as part of their professional role as a worthwhile initiative within existing general practice infrastructure. They had more negative views about some aspects of program organisation, such as the timelines and potential adverse impacts on cervical screening rates. Vaccine safety was not a key concern. Actual levels of knowledge about HPV were moderate (mean score 3.41 out of 6 (s.d. 0.99)) and contrasted with self-rated knowledge, which was high (93% perceived their knowledge to be adequate). Notably, there were unrealistic expectations about the likely reduction in Pap abnormalities due to vaccination, which is important to clarify to avoid loss of confidence in the vaccine when this reduction does not eventuate. Conclusions: Australian GPs viewed HPV vaccination of women aged 18–26 years as an integrated part of their routine practice, with positive attitudes regarding its benefits and achievability. GPs are well placed to implement mass immunisation programs as long as they are supported by effective and timely communication strategies and resources.


2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (S1) ◽  
pp. 67-67
Author(s):  
Ana Marina Rodriguez ◽  
Kathleen Schmeler ◽  
Sapna Kaul ◽  
Yong-Fang Kuo

OBJECTIVES/SPECIFIC AIMS: Improving human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination rates ultimately decreases the morbidity and mortality of HPV-associated diseases. A school-based program was piloted in the Rio Grande City Consolidated Independent School District (RGCCISD) to increase HPV vaccination. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: We assessed baseline HPV vaccination; surveyed 622 parents of eligible children aged ≥9 years; and piloted and developed a school-based HPV education and vaccination program in 1 middle school in 2017 and 4 additional middle schools in 2018. The parent survey included (1) demographic information, (2) an assessment of parental knowledge about the HPV vaccine, and (3) information about their children and HPV vaccine experience. Results of the parent survey and pilot program are in progress. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: As of 9/1/2016, 20.4% of the 7527 RGCCISD eligible students (≥9 years) had completed the HPV vaccine. Baseline completion rates were higher for RGCCISD students aged 12–14 years compared with students aged 9–11 and ≥15 years (28.4% vs. 16.5%). Baseline completion rates for RGCCISD adolescents were substantially lower than those reported in NIS-Teen and for Texas (42% females and 28% males for NIS-Teen vs. 41% and 24% for the state of Texas). DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE OF IMPACT: Initial results show that engagement with key stakeholders is important and schools are a great venue for delivering and increasing HPV vaccination.


Sexual Health ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 165 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shalini Kulasingam ◽  
Luke Connelly ◽  
Elizabeth Conway ◽  
Jane S. Hocking ◽  
Evan Myers ◽  
...  

Background: The cost-effectiveness of adding a human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine to the Australian National Cervical Screening Program compared to screening alone was examined. Methods: A Markov model of the natural history of HPV infection that incorporates screening and vaccination was developed. A vaccine that prevents 100% of HPV 16/18-associated disease, with a lifetime duration of efficacy and 80% coverage offered through a school program to girls aged 12 years, in conjunction with current screening was compared with screening alone using cost (in Australian dollars) per life-year (LY) saved and quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) saved. Sensitivity analyses included determining the cost-effectiveness of offering a catch-up vaccination program to 14–26-year-olds and accounting for the benefits of herd immunity. Results: Vaccination with screening compared with screening alone was associated with an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of $51 103 per LY and $18 735 per QALY, assuming a cost per vaccine dose of $115. Results were sensitive to assumptions about the duration of vaccine efficacy, including the need for a booster ($68 158 per LY and $24 988 per QALY) to produce lifetime immunity. Accounting for herd immunity resulted in a more attractive ICER ($36 343 per LY and $13 316 per QALY) for girls only. The cost per LY of vaccinating boys and girls was $92 052 and the cost per QALY was $33 644. The cost per LY of implementing a catch-up vaccination program ranged from $45 652 ($16 727 per QALY) for extending vaccination to 14-year-olds to $78 702 ($34 536 per QALY) for 26-year-olds. Conclusions: These results suggest that adding an HPV vaccine to Australia’s current screening regimen is a potentially cost-effective way to reduce cervical cancer and the clinical interventions that are currently associated with its prevention via screening alone.


2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 317-326
Author(s):  
Gui-Dan Tang ◽  
Gu-Qing Zeng ◽  
Bi-Xia Zhao ◽  
Yun-Li Li ◽  
Rong Wang ◽  
...  

Abstract Objectives To systematically review the knowledge attitudes and the influential factors on human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination among Chinese women. Methods Published studies on knowledge and attitudes of HPV vaccination for preventing cervical cancer among Chinese female population were retrieved using the major Chinese and English databases. Meanwhile, handwork retrieval was also conducted and the references including in the literature were retrieved. The quality of the literature was rigorously evaluated and extracted independently by two researchers and the data were analyzed and described by review manager 5.3 (RevMan5.3) software. Results In all, 19 articles including 8 articles in Chinese and 11 in English were chosen. A total of 30,176 participants were included and the sample size ranged from 64 to 6,024. The overall awareness of HPV and HPV vaccine among Chinese women was at a low level. Chinese women generally showed poor knowledge about HPV and HPV vaccine. Acceptance of HPV vaccination among Chinese women was at a high level. Vaccination intentions were influenced by the theory of planned behavior (TPB) and measured by attitudes subjective norms and perceived behavioral control. Conclusions The health authorities may evaluate and develop TPB-based interventions to increase HPV vaccination intentions of Chinese women. HPV vaccination programs should focus on carrying out multi-level and targeted health education and developing effective public health strategies after balancing the cost and benefit of HPV vaccine program. Medical staff should play the positive role in promoting the use of HPV vaccines in China. Integration of policy and community perspectives and multi-level interventions are essential to maximize the public health benefits of HPV vaccination.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Ferrand ◽  
Ryli Hockensmith ◽  
Rebecca Fagen Houghton ◽  
Eric R Walsh-Buhi

BACKGROUND Almost half (46%) of Americans have used a smart assistant of some kind (eg, Apple Siri), and 25% have used a stand-alone smart assistant (eg, Amazon Echo). This positions smart assistants as potentially useful modalities for retrieving health-related information; however, the accuracy of smart assistant responses lacks rigorous evaluation. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to evaluate the levels of accuracy, misinformation, and sentiment in smart assistant responses to human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination–related questions. METHODS We systematically examined responses to questions about the HPV vaccine from the following four most popular smart assistants: Apple Siri, Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, and Microsoft Cortana. One team member posed 10 questions to each smart assistant and recorded all queries and responses. Two raters independently coded all responses (κ=0.85). We then assessed differences among the smart assistants in terms of response accuracy, presence of misinformation, and sentiment regarding the HPV vaccine. RESULTS A total of 103 responses were obtained from the 10 questions posed across the smart assistants. Google Assistant data were excluded owing to nonresponse. Over half (n=63, 61%) of the responses of the remaining three smart assistants were accurate. We found statistically significant differences across the smart assistants (N=103, χ<sup>2</sup><sub>2</sub>=7.807, <i>P</i>=.02), with Cortana yielding the greatest proportion of misinformation. Siri yielded the greatest proportion of accurate responses (n=26, 72%), whereas Cortana yielded the lowest proportion of accurate responses (n=33, 54%). Most response sentiments across smart assistants were positive (n=65, 64%) or neutral (n=18, 18%), but Cortana’s responses yielded the largest proportion of negative sentiment (n=7, 12%). CONCLUSIONS Smart assistants appear to be average-quality sources for HPV vaccination information, with Alexa responding most reliably. Cortana returned the largest proportion of inaccurate responses, the most misinformation, and the greatest proportion of results with negative sentiments. More collaboration between technology companies and public health entities is necessary to improve the retrieval of accurate health information via smart assistants.


2009 ◽  
Vol 14 (46) ◽  
Author(s):  
C Simoens ◽  
M Sabbe ◽  
P Van Damme ◽  
P Beutels ◽  
M Arbyn

This paper documents the progress of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine introduction in Belgium. Information on vaccine use is based on sales statistics and reimbursement claims. From November 2007 to November 2008, the National Institute for Health and Disability Insurance reimbursed the HPV vaccine for girls aged between 12-15 years. In December 2008, the age limit was extended to include girls up to the age of 18. In November 2008, the total number of HPV vaccines sold exceeded 530,000 doses. The number of vaccines reimbursed in Belgium, for the period November 2007-November 2008, corresponds to the amount required to fully vaccinate 44% of all girls aged between 12-15 years. However, the trend was decreasing over the last 10 months. By the current reimbursement policy, we can expect that maximum half of the target population can be reached. In Flanders (one of the three Communities in Belgium), the intention is to start, from September 2010, with a free school-based HPV immunisation for girls in the first year of secondary school (12 years of age), complemented with vaccination by a physician of choice. This strategy ensures a higher HPV vaccine coverage which is expected to be as high as the current coverage in the hepatitis B vaccination programme (approximately 80%) offered to boys and girls in the same age group and under the same circumstances.


Sexual Health ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 489 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric P. F. Chow ◽  
Christopher K. Fairley

Australian-born women aged ≤32 years were eligible for the free female human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination program introduced in 2007. A total of 1165 heterosexual couples attending the Melbourne Sexual Health Centre between 2011 and 2014 were included in this analysis. Findings showed the odds of having penile warts was 0.52-fold lower among men who had a female partner aged ≤32 years compared with men who had a female partners aged >32 years. This suggests men would have received herd protection from their female partners and hence they are at lower risk of acquiring genital warts.


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