Developing a Bilingual, Computer-Tailored, HPV Vaccination Promotion Intervention Targeting Latino Parents

Abstract

In this paper we present an innovative, computer-tailored application aimed at increasing Latino parents' intention to vaccinate their adolescent children against Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). HPV infection is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States. Latinas have the highest age-adjusted incidence rate for HPV-associated cervical cancer compared with their counterparts in other racial/ethnic groups. HPV vaccines offer hope against HPV-associated diseases. Because parental consent is required for children under age 18 to receive the HPV vaccination in most U. S. states, parents' attitudes and intention to have their children vaccinated are keys for promoting HPV vaccination. As health care providers often find it challenging to provide HPV vaccination education in clinical settings due to competing demands, we developed a computer-tailored application as an innovative and feasible approach to address this gap. The preliminary data suggest that our design is promising for increasing Latino parents' intention to vaccinate their adolescent children. In this paper we will provide the design of the application, preliminary findings and future plans.