Teaching It Forward: Educating Parents About HPV/HPV Vaccine

Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines are available to prevent HPV-associated cancers. However, parents are reluctant to make the decision to immunize their children. Nationally, HPV vaccination rates remain low.

The objectives were to improve parents' attitudes and knowledge about HPV/HPV vaccine, increase parental intent to vaccinate, and increase HPV vaccination rates in a primary care office.

A one-group, pretest/posttest design was used to assess participants' attitude, knowledge, and intent to vaccinate before and after viewing an HPV educational video. Pre-post project HPV vaccination rates were compared.

Participants' attitudes toward HPV/HPV vaccine improved while knowledge increased. Intent to vaccine increased by 31% after viewing the HPV educational video. HPV vaccination rates increased 6% (females) and 9% (males).

Primary care providers (PCPs) should look for innovative ways to educate parents about HPV, help parents make informed decisions about the HPV vaccine, and work toward a common goal of preventing HPV-associated cancers.

Implications are three-fold benefiting parents, PCPs, and society. Parents will be more knowledgeable, providers will understand they are an important key in the vaccine process, and society will benefit from a decrease in HPV-associated cancers.