Is tailored messaging more effective? An analysis of a digital health intervention to promote HPV vaccination intent among Latinx

• Published in: Journal of behavioral medicine Vol. 46; no. 1-2; pp. 335 - 345
• Main Authors: Reno, Jenna E., Sevick, Carter, Maertens, Julie, Dempsey, Amanda F.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer US 01.04.2023; Springer; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Analysis; Beliefs, opinions and attitudes; Clinical trials; Culturally Competent Care - methods; E-health; Family Medicine; General Practice; Health aspects; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Health promotion; Health Promotion - methods; Health Psychology; Hispanic Americans; Hispanic or Latino - psychology; Human papillomavirus; Humans; Immunization; Intention; Internet; Intervention; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Papillomavirus Infections - ethnology; Papillomavirus Infections - prevention & control; Papillomavirus Vaccines - therapeutic use; Patient Acceptance of Health Care; Statistical analysis; Technology application; Vaccination - psychology; Vaccines; United States; Cultural targeting; HPV vaccination; Vaccine hesitancy; Tailored messaging; Web-based interventions
• ISSN: 0160-7715; 1573-3521
• DOI: 10.1007/s10865-022-00340-3

Latinx populations have unique barriers to HPV vaccination. In the current study, we assessed the effectiveness of an online intervention to increase HPV vaccination intentions among patients of clinics that principally serve a Latinx population (n = 85%) as part of a randomized control trial (RCT). Participants viewed on an iPad either an individually tailored educational website (CHiCOS) or untailored information derived from the Vaccine Information Sheet (VIS) for HPV. Vaccination intention and related covariates were assessed via survey items administered before (pre-test) and after (post-test) viewing the material. No statistically significant differences were seen in changes of intention to vaccinate between groups (N = 1294). However, 16% of all (tailored and untailored combined) participants increased in their intention to vaccinate, while 7% decreased in intention. Overall 72% of participants had high intentions to vaccinate, yet far fewer actually received a vaccine dose. The current study explores implications of the demonstrated intention-behavior gap . As such, it presents opportunities to improve future interventions—specifically those that employ tailored messaging.