INCREASING HUMAN PAPILLOMAVIRUS VACCINATION IN YOUNG ADULTS

Abstract

Increasing Human Papillomavirus Vaccination in Young Adults Julie Jennings, RN, BSN, CCRN Specialty Area: Family Nurse Practitioner Committee Chair: Janet D. Pierce, Ph.D., APRN, CCRN, FAAN Committee Co-Chair: Diane Mahoney, DNP, FNP-BC, EHNP-BC Problem: The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a group of more than 150 viruses that are a causative agent in many types of cancers. This virus can be linked to cervical cancer, vulvar cancer, vaginal cancer, penile cancer, anal cancer, and throat cancer. There are currently three approved vaccines to prevent the spread of HPV that are known to be associated to these cancers. The number of young adults in the United States that receive HPV vaccine is low. One of the reasons identified for not receiving the HPV vaccine is a knowledge deficit related to the disease and the vaccine. Project Aim: The aim of this quality improvement project will be to increase the number of HPV vaccines given to young adults (ages 18-26) through an educational pamphlet related to HPV and the HPV vaccines. The Project Director assumes that providing an educational pamphlet to young adults before they see their health care provider will increase the number of HPV vaccines administered at in a clinic setting (ComCare). Project Method: This quality improvement project was conducted at ComCare in Salina, Kansas. An educational pamphlet about HPV and the HPV vaccine was constructed from the literature and input from four healthcare professionals, including three nurse practitioners and one physician. A five-question pre-survey concerning the HPV vaccine and patient demographics was provided to the 10 healthcare providers at ComCare. Providers were given one week to complete the surveys. The pamphlets were then made available to young adult patients at this clinic for a six-week period by being placed in the waiting room, as well as in patient care areas. After the six-weeks were completed, the providers were given a six-question post-survey to determine the effectiveness of the educational pamphlets. Results: Nine out of the 10 providers at ComCare completed the pre-survey and eight out of 10 providers completed the post-survey. The post surveys showed a slight increase in the number of patients who had received the vaccine as well as the number of patients who initiated the vaccine each week. At ComCare, 89% of providers indicated that an educational deficit was why patients refused the HPV vaccine. There were 62% of providers at ComCare thought that the pamphlets were beneficial in their care, related to HPV, for young men and women age 18 to 26 in their clinic. Conclusion: Pamphlets containing educational information on HPV and HPV vaccines in a clinic setting appears to be useful in increasing the number of HPV vaccines administered. Providers in the clinic setting identified the largest factor related to not vaccinating against HPV was an educational deficit. Further studies should be conducted in additional clinics to determine if educational pamphlets are beneficial in increasing the number of young adults that obtain the HPV vaccine.