A Quality Improvement Project Targeting Vaccine-Preventable Sexually Transmitted Infections in College Students Using...

Background: Hepatitis B (HepB) and human papillomavirus (HPV) are both vaccine-preventable sexually transmitted infections. However, according to the National Immunization Surveys, 13-17-year-olds are more likely to be protected against HepB than HPV. Objective: The purpose of this article is to report on a quality improvement project aimed at identifying traditional college-age students who lack protection against HPV and Hepatitis B, and to address their need for vaccination education. Methods: A quality improvement project implemented two strategies via new electronic health record (EHR) system at a university health clinic in 2023. Results: In the fall of 2023, more students had documented protection against HepB (72%) compared with HPV (55%). Students who had their first dose of HPV vaccination >14 years (17%) were more likely to have an incomplete HPV series compared with those who had their first HPV vaccination ≤14 years. Conclusions: A college health EHR system with patient portal operability for vaccine upload and screening supports identification of students who lack protection against vaccine-preventable infections, particularly those who begin the HPV series after age 14 years. Implications for Nursing: To close the gap between HepB and HPV protection, nurses must advocate to include review of vaccination status in sexual health risk screening processes and provide education and vaccinations on campus.