Increasing human papillomavirus vaccine initiation among publicly insured Florida adolescents

Abstract

Purpose: We evaluated the feasibility of a multilevel intervention to increase the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine initiation among adolescents.

Methods: We used a four-arm factorial, quasi-experimental trial to assess feasibility and short-term, preliminary effectiveness of a health system-level, gender-specific postcard campaign and an in-clinic health information technology (HIT) system. Between August and November 2013, we tested the intervention among 11- to 17-year-olds without prior HPV vaccine claims in the Florida Medicaid or Children's Health Insurance Program encounters (2,773 girls and 3,350 boys) who attended or were assigned to primary care clinics in North Central Florida.

Results: At least one postcard was deliverable to 95% of the parents. Most parents (91% boys' and 80% girls') who participated in the process evaluation survey (n = 162) reported seeking additional information about the vaccine after receiving the postcard. Only 8% (57 of 1,062) of the adolescents assigned to a HIT provider with an office visit during the study used the HIT system. When compared with arms not containing that component, HPV vaccine initiation increased with the postcard campaign (girls, odds ratio [OR] = 1.6; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.1-2.3 and boys, not significant), the HIT system (girls, OR = 1.5; 95% CI = 1.0-2.3 and boys, OR = 1.4; 95% CI = 1.0-2.0), and the combined HIT and postcard intervention (girls, OR = 2.4; 95% CI = 1.4-4.3 and boys, OR = 1.6; 95% CI = 1.0-2.5).

Conclusions: A system-level postcard campaign was feasible. Despite low recruitment to the in-clinic HIT system, the intervention demonstrated short-term, preliminary effectiveness similar to prior HPV vaccine interventions.

Keywords: Florida; HPV vaccine; Health information technology; Intervention; Medicaid and CHIP; Reminders.