Improving HPV Vaccination Rates Through Healthcare Worker Education

POSTER

Improving HPV Vaccination Rates Through Healthcare Worker Education Jedediah Kowalski RN, BSN, FNP-student OBJECTIVES METHODS RESULTS Problem statement: Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination rates within the state of Utah are far below the Healthy People 2020 intiative of 80% for all female and male adolescents. Objectives • Identify the most common barriers to HPV vaccination and identify the most effective methods of addressing these barriers. • Assess clinic workers' baseline knowledge of HPV and the vaccine, assess frequency of vaccine recommendation, assess comfort with discussing the vaccine, and administer an educational presentation regarding HPV vaccination. • Assess improvement in healthcare workers' baseline knowledge of HPV and the vaccine and assess for increased frequency of recommendation. • An educational presentation on the HPV vaccine was administered to clinic workers in 4 clinics within the University of Utah Healthcare System. • A pre-presentation questionnaire was administered to assess baseline knowledge of the HPV vaccine. • A post-presentation questionnaire was administered at 24 hours to assess retention of and improvement in knowledge regarding the HPV vaccine. • At two weeks post-presentation another questionnaire was sent to evaluate improvement in vaccine recommendation frequency and comfort level with discussing the vaccine with patients. Pre-presentation questionnaire •59.2% missed at least 2 questions (n-54). Mean score was 80.7%. •Commonly missed questions were HPV symptoms, related diseases, total number of vaccine doses, and dosing schedule. Post-presenation questionnaire •The mean score for the post-presentation questionnaire was 97.5% (n-20). 2 week follow up •80% recommended the vaccine “All the time” 2 weeks post-presentation. Up from 66% prepresentation. •80% stated they now feel "Very comfortable" discussing the HPV vaccine 2 weeks post-presentation. Up from 53.2% pre-presentation. BACKGROUND • HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the United States. • Recurrent infections with HPV can cause certain types of cancers and genital warts. • In June, 2006 the HPV vaccine was approved for females starting at 11 to 12-years old. The vaccine was also approved for males of the same age in 2009. • For the year 2013, Utah ranked last in the nation with only 20.5% of Utah females aged 13-17 having received all 3 doses of the vaccine. Only 11% of males had received just one dose. • Data from the last 6 years indicates that these rates have essentially stagnated. CONCLUSIONS/IMPLICATIONS • Knowledge gaps exist regarding HPV and the vaccine among healthcare workers. • Simple outreach, education, and training demonstrated significant improvement in baseline knowledge. • Healthcare workers are not as comfortable discussing the HPV vaccine or recommending it as frequently as they should. This also improved with education and training. • Healthcare workers provide valuable insight into common HPV vaccine barriers and should advocate for policy that encourages use of this vaccine in our local populations. Project Chairs- Amanda Al-Khudairi, DNP, WHNP and Elizabeth Cardenas DNP, AGPCNP-BC, AGNP-c Content Expert- Deanna Kepka, PhD, MPH