Health Information Source Characteristics Matter: Adapting the Dissemination of an HPV Vaccine Intervention to Reach Latina and Vietnamese Women

Abstract

Latina and Vietnamese women are disproportionately burdened by human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated cervical cancer and underutilize the HPV vaccine, which is an effective cancer prevention measure. To inform the adaptation of a National Cancer Institute’s evidence-based cancer control program, HPV Vaccine Decision Narratives, and because of the rapidly changing information concerning consumption patterns of young adults, we elicited preferences and characteristics associated with women’s interest in various health information sources, specifically for HPV vaccination. We conducted 50 interviews with young Latina and Vietnamese women at two Planned Parenthood health centers in Southern California. Interview questions were guided by the Channel Complementarity Theory and focused on understanding the multiple communication channels women turn to for health, and the characteristics that motivate their use. Our results showed that Latina and Vietnamese women turn to many sources, from online and social media to school health classes, mothers, and doctors. Specific characteristics that motivate women’s online use of health information included immediacy and access, convenience and credibility. When receiving HPV vaccine information, privacy, avoiding information overload, interpersonal engagement, and receiving health information from trusted sources was important. Our study advances the prevention literature by elevating the role of platform delivery considerations and emphasizing preferences to effectively reach Latina and Vietnamese women, who are disproportionately burdened by HPV cancers and are less aware of HPV vaccine prevention. These results can be used to further inform the dissemination of this cancer control program. Adaptation of the program should include changes to its delivery, such that trusted sources are used, and dissemination is coordinated to send a consistent message across multiple communication methods.

Examining multilevel influences on parental HPV vaccine hesitancy among multiethnic communities in Los Angeles: a qualitative analysis

“…For example, community-based organizations were emphasized as important sources of information in the AI/AN focus group, and both AI/AN and Spanish focus group expressed desire for adolescent-directed school-based resources. Other literature supports that information source characteristics and cultural adaptation of content is needed to optimize dissemination of HPV vaccine interventions in diverse ethnic communities [ 40 – 42 ]. However, we observed that racial/ethnic minority parents not only had preferred channels of information but relied on their trusted sources and personal relationships with health care providers and family and friends to navigate the proliferation of adolescent vaccine misinformation.…”

Adaptation and Dissemination of a National Cancer Institute HPV Vaccine Evidence-Based Cancer Control Program to the Social Media Messaging Environment

“…Social media offers a communication tool for disseminating and interacting with youth and young adults about HPV vaccination, given their daily message exposure on these platforms (85)(86)(87). Preventing cancers caused by HPV through vaccination remains a significant public health priority in the United States (16).…”

A systematic review of information source preference research

“…Lin et al (2014) also found that business managers consider time, cost and effort in information-seeking to avoid investing excessive time and effort. Majid and Kanagasabai (2007), Hopfer et al (2021) and Obaremi and Olatokun (2022) also found that ease of access, ease of use and convenience were criteria for users' information source preferences. Hence, users would consider the cost of information-seeking when selecting an information source.…”

“…For example, American college students employed the fluidity of information as a preference criterion when seeking information during the pandemic (Stewart, 2022). Latin and Vietnamese women seeking health information select sources based on their immediacy, thereby avoiding information overload (Hopfer et al, 2021). Furthermore, the users were concerned about whether the information source was interactive and responsive.…”