Stories to Prevent (StoP) HPV Cancers: A Communication Intervention to Increase HPV Vaccination Among Diverse Populations.
This randomized controlled trial (RCT) evaluates the association of a narrative communication intervention on human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination rates among 9- to 12-year-olds. The intervention is a brief video from local cancer survivors narrating their stories with an HPV-related cancer diagnosis and recommending the HPV vaccine for cancer prevention. RCT participants will be the parents (n=200) of children ages 9-12 who have not initiated HPV vaccination. Participants will be randomized (1:1) to our intervention or control (placebo video) one week before their child's next primary care visit. Our primary outcome is HPV vaccine initiation (first dose of the HPV vaccine series) among children ages 9-12 at the time of the wellness visit. The study also explores the effect of narratives on theory-based mediators of HPV vaccination, including parents' cognitive (e.g., risk perception) and emotional reactions (e.g., hope, anticipated regret).
• Parent/guardian of a 9-12 year old receiving primary care at a Penn State Health clinic
• Their child has not previously received or initiated the HPV vaccine
• Is able to read and understand spoken English or Spanish
• Has a valid email address and access to a mobile phone, table, desktop or laptop computer to engage in the intervention