Feasibility of interventions to increase HPV vaccination acceptability and coverage in school-based programs: Findings from a pilot study in Quebec, Canada

Introduction: Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines have been offered in Quebec schools to 4th-grade (9–10 years old) girls since 2008 and boys since 2016. HPV vaccine coverage does not reach the 90 % target in many regions. This project evaluated the feasibility and the acceptability of interventions...

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Main Authors: Maude Dionne, Chantal Sauvageau, Doriane Etienne, Holly O. Witteman, Ève Dubé
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2024-12-01
Series:Preventive Medicine Reports
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2211335524003462
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author Maude Dionne
Chantal Sauvageau
Doriane Etienne
Holly O. Witteman
Ève Dubé
author_facet Maude Dionne
Chantal Sauvageau
Doriane Etienne
Holly O. Witteman
Ève Dubé
author_sort Maude Dionne
collection DOAJ
description Introduction: Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines have been offered in Quebec schools to 4th-grade (9–10 years old) girls since 2008 and boys since 2016. HPV vaccine coverage does not reach the 90 % target in many regions. This project evaluated the feasibility and the acceptability of interventions to improve HPV vaccine acceptability and coverage in school-based programs. Methods: The evaluation was conducted in 32 Quebec schools in 2019–2020. We tested a strategy of three interventions implemented in sequence (face-to-face information session, email reminder with an online decision support tool, and telephone reminder using motivational interviewing (MI) techniques). Parents and school staff completed online surveys. School nurses participated in individual interviews. Key stakeholders participated in a workshop to identify enabling conditions and barriers to implementing interventions across Quebec. Results: The strategy was generally well-received by school staff, nurses, and parents. Many parents found the 3 interventions helpful to support their vaccination decision. Most parents (92 %) suggested that the face-to-face information session and the decision support tool (82 %) be offered to all parents. Nevertheless, delivering classroom presentations was perceived by nurses as logistically challenging. Parents were generally satisfied with the telephone reminder, but only a limited number of nurses applied motivational interviewing techniques, as half (51 %) of unreturned consent forms were due to forgetfulness. Conclusion: Our strategy was accepted and deemed feasible by a majority of parents, school staff, and nurses. Collaboration between health authorities and schools is essential for implementing interventions to enhance vaccine acceptance in school-based programs.
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spelling doaj-art-467f9c93ebd143b4bda1e6b3e3b78bc42024-12-07T08:26:15ZengElsevierPreventive Medicine Reports2211-33552024-12-0148102931Feasibility of interventions to increase HPV vaccination acceptability and coverage in school-based programs: Findings from a pilot study in Quebec, CanadaMaude Dionne0Chantal Sauvageau1Doriane Etienne2Holly O. Witteman3Ève Dubé4Institut national de santé publique du Québec, Québec, CanadaInstitut national de santé publique du Québec, Québec, Canada; Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval, Québec, Canada; Université Laval, Québec, CanadaVITAM—Centre de recherche en santé durable, Québec, Canada; Université Laval, Québec, CanadaCentre de recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval, Québec, Canada; VITAM—Centre de recherche en santé durable, Québec, Canada; Université Laval, Québec, CanadaCentre de recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval, Québec, Canada; Université Laval, Québec, Canada; Corresponding author at : Pavillon Charles-De Koninck, Local 3433, 1030, avenue des Sciences-Humaines, Bureau 3456, Université Laval, Québec, Québec G1V 0A6, Canada.Introduction: Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines have been offered in Quebec schools to 4th-grade (9–10 years old) girls since 2008 and boys since 2016. HPV vaccine coverage does not reach the 90 % target in many regions. This project evaluated the feasibility and the acceptability of interventions to improve HPV vaccine acceptability and coverage in school-based programs. Methods: The evaluation was conducted in 32 Quebec schools in 2019–2020. We tested a strategy of three interventions implemented in sequence (face-to-face information session, email reminder with an online decision support tool, and telephone reminder using motivational interviewing (MI) techniques). Parents and school staff completed online surveys. School nurses participated in individual interviews. Key stakeholders participated in a workshop to identify enabling conditions and barriers to implementing interventions across Quebec. Results: The strategy was generally well-received by school staff, nurses, and parents. Many parents found the 3 interventions helpful to support their vaccination decision. Most parents (92 %) suggested that the face-to-face information session and the decision support tool (82 %) be offered to all parents. Nevertheless, delivering classroom presentations was perceived by nurses as logistically challenging. Parents were generally satisfied with the telephone reminder, but only a limited number of nurses applied motivational interviewing techniques, as half (51 %) of unreturned consent forms were due to forgetfulness. Conclusion: Our strategy was accepted and deemed feasible by a majority of parents, school staff, and nurses. Collaboration between health authorities and schools is essential for implementing interventions to enhance vaccine acceptance in school-based programs.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2211335524003462ImmunizationHPV vaccineSchool-based immunization programInterventionFeasibilityHuman papillomavirus
spellingShingle Maude Dionne
Chantal Sauvageau
Doriane Etienne
Holly O. Witteman
Ève Dubé
Feasibility of interventions to increase HPV vaccination acceptability and coverage in school-based programs: Findings from a pilot study in Quebec, Canada
Preventive Medicine Reports
Immunization
HPV vaccine
School-based immunization program
Intervention
Feasibility
Human papillomavirus
title Feasibility of interventions to increase HPV vaccination acceptability and coverage in school-based programs: Findings from a pilot study in Quebec, Canada
title_full Feasibility of interventions to increase HPV vaccination acceptability and coverage in school-based programs: Findings from a pilot study in Quebec, Canada
title_fullStr Feasibility of interventions to increase HPV vaccination acceptability and coverage in school-based programs: Findings from a pilot study in Quebec, Canada
title_full_unstemmed Feasibility of interventions to increase HPV vaccination acceptability and coverage in school-based programs: Findings from a pilot study in Quebec, Canada
title_short Feasibility of interventions to increase HPV vaccination acceptability and coverage in school-based programs: Findings from a pilot study in Quebec, Canada
title_sort feasibility of interventions to increase hpv vaccination acceptability and coverage in school based programs findings from a pilot study in quebec canada
topic Immunization
HPV vaccine
School-based immunization program
Intervention
Feasibility
Human papillomavirus
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2211335524003462
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