A recent study conducted by Mayo Clinic has found that intervention-based approaches can significantly boost human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination rates among adolescents. The study, which involved 9,242 children eligible for the HPV vaccine, utilized a strategy of mailing reminders to parents about their child’s eligibility for the vaccine, while also providing healthcare providers with feedback on successful vaccine administrations to recently seen patients.
The results showed a 20% increase in HPV vaccination rates among adolescents who received the intervention-based approach compared to those who did not. Specifically, 40% of patients received their doses in the months following the interventions, while only 22% received their doses without the interventions.
“This study suggests that healthcare practitioners can effectively adopt this technique to boost HPV vaccination rates in 11 and 12-year-olds,” states Robert Jacobson, M.D., a pediatrician in the Mayo Clinic Division of Community Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine.
HPV is a sexually transmitted viral infection that can be transmitted through skin-to-skin contact. It can cause various forms of cancer, including cervical, anal, genital, mouth, and throat cancer. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), HPV infections are responsible for approximately 37,000 new cancer cases each year.
The study’s findings highlight the importance of interventions in increasing HPV vaccination rates, as the current rate of 60% falls short of national public health goals. By implementing reminder systems and providing healthcare providers with feedback, more adolescents can receive the protection offered by the HPV vaccine.
FAQ:
Q: What is HPV?
A: HPV stands for human papillomavirus. It is a sexually transmitted infection that can cause various forms of cancer.
Q: How does the intervention-based approach work?
A: The intervention-based approach involves mailing reminders to parents about their child’s eligibility for the HPV vaccine and providing healthcare providers with feedback on successful vaccine administrations to recently seen patients.
Q: Why is increasing HPV vaccination rates important?
A: Increasing HPV vaccination rates is important because HPV infections are responsible for a significant number of new cancer cases each year. Vaccination can help prevent these infections and subsequent cancers.
Q: How can healthcare practitioners adopt this technique?
A: Healthcare practitioners can adopt the technique by implementing reminder systems for parents and providing feedback to providers about successful vaccine administrations.
Sources:
Mayo Clinic – [URL]
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – [URL]