Readability of online information about HPV Immunization

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Health Communication
• Vaccinology

Background:

• Low human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination rates in the U.S. hinder prevention of anogenital cancers.
• Parents increasingly rely on internet resources for vaccine information.
• Understanding online health information accessibility is crucial for informed decision-making.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the readability of online information regarding HPV vaccines.
• To identify factors influencing the complexity of HPV vaccine web content.

Main Methods:

• Analyzed 100 websites found via "HPV immunization" and "Gardasil" searches.
• Utilized established readability scales to evaluate website content.
• Compared readability based on search terms and URL extensions (commercial vs. non-commercial).

Main Results:

• The majority of analyzed websites presented information at a difficult reading level.
• Commercial websites and those found via "Gardasil" searches exhibited higher mean readability scores.
• Significant portions of online HPV vaccine information may be challenging for parents to comprehend.

Conclusions:

• Current online HPV vaccine information may pose comprehension barriers for parents.
• Interventions to enhance the readability of online health content are needed.
• Improving information accessibility could positively impact parental vaccine acceptance and vaccination uptake.