Effect of educative reminder telephone calls on human papillomavirus immunization rate: A randomized controlled trial

Human papillomavirus coverage varies widely among women depending on their race, incomes, geographical location and education level.

To evaluate whether reminder educative phone calls increase human papillomavirus vaccination rates in adult women aged 18-45 with high-risk factors of cervical cancer.

We conducted a single-blind randomized controlled trial in patients who consulted at a Canadian tertiary center in October 2019 during National Cervical Cancer Awareness Week.

We randomized women to receive three standardized educative phone calls or standard care.

We assessed the immunization rate at 6 months.

A total of 130 patients were randomized of which 62 patients were randomized to the intervention. Eight patients (15.4%) got immunized at 6 months in the intervention group as compared to seven (11.7%) in the control group (p = 0.5645). The main barrier to vaccination reported by non-immunized patients at 6 months was the cost of vaccination (42.3%).

Reminder educative phone calls did not increase human papillomavirus vaccination rates in adult women with risk factors of cervical cancer.ISRCTN registration number: ISRCTN58518971.