A randomized intervention study to evaluate whether electronic messaging can increase human papillomavirus vaccine...

To evaluate an intervention aimed at increasing human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine completion of the 3-dose series and knowledge.

Two hundred sixty-four male and female US college students 18-26 years old who were receiving HPV vaccine dose 1.

Students were randomly assigned to the intervention or control group. Intervention participants received the electronic intervention (text/e-mail appointment reminders and education messages) and controls received standard-of-care. Baseline/follow-up survey data were collected. Main outcome measures included vaccine completion and knowledge.

HPV vaccine completion across groups were not significantly different for HPV dose 2 (53% vs 52%) and dose 3 (34% vs 32%). Mean knowledge score at follow-up for intervention group was significantly higher (p = .01) than at baseline. No significant differences in knowledge were found for the control group. The biggest predictor of HPV vaccine completion was female gender.

The intervention increased knowledge but not vaccine completion. More research with catch-up age populations is needed.