Promoting HPV Vaccination in College Students Through Educational Video: Results from a Randomized Trial

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Vaccinology
• Health Communication

Background:

• Low human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination rates persist among U.S. young adults.
• HPV is a significant risk factor for several types of cancer.
• Targeting college-aged individuals is crucial for increasing HPV vaccination coverage.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of a co-created educational video on HPV vaccination intention.
• To compare the effectiveness of a video intervention versus a standard leaflet intervention.
• To identify factors influencing HPV vaccination decisions in college students.

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled trial involving 215 unvaccinated college students aged 18-26.
• Participants were assigned to either a video intervention group or a leaflet intervention group.
• Pre- and post-intervention surveys assessed HPV knowledge, perceived risk, facilitators, barriers, cultural beliefs, and vaccination intention.

Main Results:

• Both groups showed improvements in HPV knowledge and related beliefs, with no significant between-group differences.
• The video intervention group experienced a 10.8% increase in vaccination intention.
• The leaflet group showed an 11.6% decrease in vaccination intention, a statistically significant difference between groups (p=0.03).

Conclusions:

• A brief, participatory video intervention effectively increased HPV vaccination intent among unvaccinated college students.
• The video intervention presents a scalable and promising public health strategy for promoting HPV vaccination.
• This approach is particularly relevant for increasing vaccination rates in high-risk young adult populations.