ObjectivesTo evaluate the usability and acceptability of an electronic consent pilot intervention for school-based immunisations and assess its impact on consent form returns and human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccine uptake.DesignMixed-methods theory-informed study applying qualitative methods to examine the usability and acceptability of the intervention and quantitative methods to assess its impact.Setting and participantsThe intervention was piloted in 14 secondary schools in seven London boroughs in 2018. Intervention schools were matched with schools using paper consent based on the proportion of students with English as a second language and students receiving free school meals. Participants included nurses, data managers, school-link staff, parents and adolescents.InterventionsAn electronic consent portal where parents could record whether they agreed to or declined vaccination, and nurses could access data to help them manage the immunisation programme.Primary and secondary outcome measuresComparison of consent form return rates and HPV vaccine uptake between intervention and matched schools.ResultsHPV vaccination uptake did not differ between intervention and matched schools, but timely consent form return was significantly lower in intervention schools (73.3% vs 91.6%, p=0.008). The transition to using electronic consent was not straightforward, while schools and staff understood the potential benefits, they found it difficult to adapt to new ways of working which removed some level of control from schools. Reasons for lower consent form return in e-consent schools included difficulties encountered by some parents in accessing and using the intervention. Adolescents highlighted the potential for electronic consent to by-pass their information needs.ConclusionsThe pilot intervention did not improve consent form return or vaccine uptake due to challenges encountered in transitioning to new working practice. New technologies require embedding before they become incorporated in everyday practice. A re-evaluation once stakeholders are accustomed with electronic consent may be required to understand its impact.
In October 2016, an outbreak of norovirus occurred among attendees of a Halloween-themed party at a public swimming pool in the south-east of England. Norovirus genogroup II was confirmed in 11 cases. In the retrospective cohort study of pool users, 68 individuals (37 female and 31 male), with a median age of 11 years (range: 0–50 years), met the case definition of developing diarrhoea or vomiting between 6 and 72 h after the pool visit. Multivariable analysis showed that increasing age was associated with a reduced risk of illness (odds ratio = 0.91; 95% confidence interval: 0.83–0.99). Pool behaviours (swallowing water) and the timing of visit (attending pool party after automatic dosing system was switched off) were independently associated with increased risk. Environmental investigations revealed that the automatic dosing system was switched off to reduce chlorine levels to an intended range of 0.5–1 parts per million to facilitate the use of a commercial red dye. There was a lack of compliance with the operator's own pool operating procedures, particularly on maintaining effective chlorine levels in pool water, recording of test results and recording of actions undertaken. This outbreak highlights the risks of lowering chlorine levels when using pool water colourants.
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Background Technological solutions may improve the logistics of obtaining parental consent in school-based immunisation programmes. In 2018/19 a health care organisation in London, England, piloted an electronic consent intervention in the adolescent girls’ HPV vaccination programme. We conducted a mixed-methods evaluation to examine the usability and acceptability of the intervention and assess its impact on consent form returns and HPV vaccine uptake. Methods The intervention was implemented in 14 secondary schools in seven South London boroughs. Each e-consent school was matched with a school that used standard paper consent. Matching was based on location and the proportion of students: i. with English as a second language, ii. receiving free school meals (socio-economic status proxy). Consent form return rates and HPV vaccine uptake were compared quantitatively between intervention and matched schools. Data from immunisation session observations (n=7), school feedback forms (n=14), individual and group interviews with implementers (n=8), parents and adolescents (n=12) and a focus group discussion with adolescents was analysed thematically to document user’s experiences investigate the implementation of the intervention. Results HPV vaccination uptake did not differ between e-consent and matched paper consent schools, but timely consent form return was significantly lower in the e-consent schools (73.3% (n=11) vs 91.6% (n=11), p=0.008). The transition to using the system was not straightforward, whilst schools and staff understood the potential benefits, they found it difficult to adapt to new ways of working which removed some level of control from schools. Part of the reason for lower consent form return in e-consent schools was that some parents found the intervention difficult to access and use. Adolescents highlighted the potential for e-consent interventions to by-pass their information needs. Conclusions The e-consent intervention did not improve consent form return or vaccine uptake due to challenges encountered in transitioning to a new way of working. New technologies require embedding before they become incorporated in everyday practice. The intervention is undergoing further iterative development to improve its usability, ensure schools are appropriately involved and adolescents receive tailored immunisation information. A re-evaluation once stakeholders are accustomed to e-consent may be required to understand its impact.
Background Technological solutions may improve the logistics of obtaining parental consent in schoolbased immunisation programmes. In 2018/19 a health care organisation in London, England, piloted an electronic consent intervention in the adolescent girls' HPV vaccination programme. We conducted a mixed-methods evaluation to examine the usability and acceptability of the intervention and assess its impact on consent form returns and HPV vaccine uptake.Methods The intervention was implemented in 14 secondary schools in seven South London boroughs.Each e-consent school was matched with a school that used standard paper consent. Matching was based on location and the proportion of students: i. with English as a second language, ii. receiving free school meals (socio-economic status proxy). Consent form return rates and HPV vaccine uptake were compared quantitatively between intervention and matched schools. Data from immunisation session observations (n=7), school feedback forms (n=14), individual and group interviews with implementers (n=8), parents and adolescents (n=12) and a focus group discussion with adolescents was analysed thematically to document user's experiences investigate the implementation of the intervention.Results HPV vaccination uptake did not differ between e-consent and matched paper consent schools, but timely consent form return was significantly lower in the e-consent schools (73.3% (n=11) vs 91.6% (n=11), p=0.008). The transition to using the system was not straightforward, whilst schools and staff understood the potential benefits, they found it difficult to adapt to new ways of working which removed some level of control from schools. Part of the reason for lower consent form return in e-consent schools was that some parents found the intervention difficult to access and use.Adolescents highlighted the potential for e-consent interventions to by-pass their information needs.Conclusions The e-consent intervention did not improve consent form return or vaccine uptake due to challenges encountered in transitioning to a new way of working. New technologies require embedding before they become incorporated in everyday practice. The intervention is undergoing further iterative development to improve its usability, ensure schools are appropriately involved and adolescents receive tailored immunisation information. A re-evaluation once stakeholders are
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