Messaging preferences among Florida caregivers participating in focus groups who had not yet accepted the HPV vaccine for their 11- to 12-year-old child

Abstract

Background In the United States, human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination rates remain low. The President’s Cancer Panel suggests that effective messaging about the HPV vaccination focus on the vaccine’s safety, efficacy, ability to prevent cancer, and recommendation at ages 11- to 12-years. We aimed to develop messages about HPV vaccine that include the President Cancer Panel’s suggestions and were acceptable to caregivers of adolescents. Methods From August to October 2020, we conducted one-hour, Zoom videoconference focus groups with caregivers who lived in Florida, had an 11- to 12-year-old child, and had not had any of their children receive the HPV vaccine. Focus group moderators asked caregivers to react to three videos of clinician (i.e., MD, DO, APRN, PA) recommendations and three text message reminders. Thematic analysis was conducted using the constant comparative method and led by one author with qualitative analysis expertise. Two additional authors validated findings. Results Caregivers (n = 25 in six groups) were primarily non-Hispanic white (84%) and educated (64% had at least an Associate’s degree). Approximately a third of caregivers had delayed (44%) or decided against a vaccine for their child (36%). Caregivers described six preferred message approaches: recognize caregivers’ autonomy, balanced benefits and risks, trustworthy sources, increased feasibility of appointment scheduling, information prior to decision point, and preferred personalized information. Caregivers expressed a desire to have the follow-up doses mentioned in the introduction. Conclusions HPV vaccine messages, whether delivered by a clinician or via text message, will be more acceptable to caregivers if they approach HPV vaccination as the caregivers’ decision, and include information from trusted sources to help caregivers make an informed choice.

U.S. Vietnamese parents' trusted sources of information and preferences for intervention messaging about HPV vaccination: A mixed methods study

“…However, unlike other Asian origin groups, social networks (e.g., family, relatives, colleagues, or community peers) [ 43 , 47 , 48 ] did not emerge as a popular trusted source of HPV vaccine information in this study. Furthermore, several previous studies found that parents or caregivers from other racial and ethnic groups describe low or deteriorated trust in government and national health agencies as a source of HPV vaccine information [ 10 , 49 ]. These results suggest the need to consider preferences for health information sources that may be unique to U.S. Vietnamese (as opposed to a one-size-fits-all approach to interventions).…”