Does a web-based decision aid help parents in making a decision to vaccinate their child against HPV: Findings from Alberta

Abstract

Objectives: Parental hesitancy due to lack of knowledge, concerns about earlier onset of sexual activity, safety, and long term effectiveness, is a major reason for the low uptake of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine. Parents weigh the benefits of vaccination against these risks. Decision aids are helpful in such preference-sensitive decisions. Objectives of this project were to assess whether a web-based HPV decision aid helped decrease parental decisional conflict and to assess which parental values predicted parental decision making. Methods: An online tool was developed with input from public health professionals, marketing experts and parents. Data was collected using Google Analytics, and questions before and after completing decision tool. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze website traffic, tool uptake and predictors of decisional intent. an> Results: A total of 5,527 and 4,611 unique visits were recorded within first 5 months of launch. On an average, viewers spent 3:47 minutes and viewed 11.69 pages per session. Of the total visitors, 2,675 parents initiated tool participation and 718 completed it. Initial HPV vaccination decision among this sample was 327/718 (45.54%) in favour, 125/718 (17.4%) declining, and 266/718 (37.04%) undecided. Upon completing the tool, the number who were initially undecided fell significantly, from 266 (37%) to 118 (16%) (p< 0.0001). The proportion of those who remained undecided was similar in the three groups regardless of their initial leaning: 15.9% in favour, 16.8% declining, and 16.91% undecided . Results of the regression analysis showed that parental values of avoiding side effects, allergic reaction, genital warts and cancer were significant predictors of parental decision making (p< 0.001). Conclusions: An online decision aid had the potential to improve decision-making and intention to vaccinate among parents making the HPV vaccination decision. Future interventions should consider addressing specific parental values to further reduce vaccine hesitancy and enhance decision-making.