Digital HPV education to increase vaccine uptake among low income women.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this formative study was to gather women's perspectives in the design and communication modalities of a health kiosk set within a Planned Parenthood setting to promote patient education about the Human papillomavirus (HPV) and to motivate uptake of the HPV vaccine.

METHODS

Twenty-four women aged 18-35 participated in in-depth one-on-one interviews at a Planned Parenthood health center, which were analyzed in code-associated categories using NVivo11 Pro.

RESULTS

Most women showed receptivity to using an on-site health kiosk, as well as QR codes linked to text messages, to receive HPV-related health information outside of the clinic setting and reminders. Participants provided suggestions for kiosk design and communication modalities.

CONCLUSIONS

Among low-income women we interviewed at Planned Parenthood, increasing HPV vaccination rates necessitates engaging digital health tools which incorporate both the preferences and needs of vulnerable populations.

INNOVATION

Designing a point-of-service health kiosk that 1) draws on user preferences early in the design phase, 2) integrates multiple communication technologies, and 3) disseminates culturally grounded HPV vaccination decisions narratives that are tailored to vaccination awareness level is a promising approach in reducing barriers to HPV vaccine education and vaccine uptake among low-income women at safety-net clinics.