Description and Evaluation of a Multilevel Intervention for Improving HPV Vaccination Rates in a Rural South Dakota...

This study describes an education-based, multilevel intervention and its impact on human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccination rates in a rural South Dakota clinic.

At a clinic-level, nurses and clinicians were provided education on HPV vaccination guidelines and opt-out communication techniques. At a community-level, parents/guardians attended an educational session at the local middle school orientation. Surveys assessed subjective and objective knowledge pre- and post-intervention. Electronic medical records were used to examine HPV immunization rates for adolescents (aged 9-13 years), 2016-2020. These figures were compared to the number of vaccinations given across the healthcare system footprint.

72.7 percent of nurses and providers in the clinic utilize opt-out communication when discussing vaccinations. Increases in self-reported and objective knowledge among participants were noted. EMR review revealed the percent of adolescents vaccinated for HPV increased post-intervention.

Implementation of multiple community interventions correlated with increases in community knowledge and HPV immunization in adolescents in the service area.