Strategies to improve human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination rates among college students

Abstract

Objective: Improve (HPV) vaccination rates in a college-aged population using a strategic toolkit for student health services. Participants: Eighteen to twenty-six year-olds enrolled at Johns Hopkins University who utilized the Student Health & Wellness Center (JHU SHWC) during the study period. Methods: The toolkit comprised of a) continuing medical education (CME) presentation on strategies to improve HPV vaccination, b) campus-wide visual messaging regarding HPV prevalence, genital warts, cancer, and vaccine availability, and c) an electronic medical record (EMR) form prompting discussion about the HPV vaccine during visits. Results: HPV vaccination rates at JHU SHWC improved from historical baseline 290/2,372 students/year (12.2%) to 515/2,479 students/year (20.8%), [risk ratio (RR) 1.70 (95% CI, 1.47–1.96), p < 0.001]. Additional changes included significant increases in vaccination rate per visit and vaccination rate by gender, especially among male students. Conclusions: Methods and resources from this toolkit could be successfully adapted and deployed by college health centers.