Intervention studies to encourage HPV vaccination using narrative: A scoping review

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Health Communication
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination is crucial for preventing HPV-related cancers.
• Narrative interventions show promise in health behavior change.
• Understanding the effectiveness of narrative strategies in promoting HPV vaccination is essential.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review intervention studies examining the persuasive effect of narratives on encouraging HPV vaccination.
• To synthesize findings on narrative effectiveness, study designs, and outcomes in HPV vaccination promotion.

Main Methods:

• Systematic search of major databases (MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, PsycARTICLES).
• Inclusion of English-language articles with quantitative data on narrative interventions for HPV vaccination.
• Analysis of study characteristics, outcomes (intention, behavior), and narrative elements.

Main Results:

• 25 studies were reviewed, primarily from the USA, often using university students and text message interventions.
• Narratives demonstrated comparable effectiveness to didactic and statistical approaches in promoting HPV vaccination intention.
• Limited evidence exists for narrative impact on vaccination behavior, long-term effects, and variations in narrative components.

Conclusions:

• Narrative-based messages can be a valuable component of HPV vaccination promotion strategies.
• Further well-designed studies are required to identify optimal narrative characteristics for diverse populations.
• Research should explore long-term effects and behavioral outcomes of narrative interventions.