Accepted for/Published in: Journal of Medical Internet Research
Date Submitted: Mar 13, 2022
Date Accepted: Sep 6, 2022
An Internet-based Education for HPV Vaccination among College Females in Mainland China: Application of IMB Model in A Cluster Randomized Trial
ABSTRACT
Background:
The cases of cervical cancer having been diagnosed in the last two decades were largely females at a younger age. The HPV vaccination is the most radical way to prevent HPV infection and cervical cancer. However, most of the female college students in mainland China have not yet been vaccinated and their relevant knowledge is limited. Theory-based education delivered via the Internet is a potentially accessible and useful way to promote HPV vaccination among this population.
Objective:
This 3 months’ follow-up study intended to identify the feasibility and efficacy of the Information-Motivation-Behavioral skills (IMB) model-based online intervention in promoting awareness, willingness, and vaccination against HPV among college females.
Methods:
A 7-day online HPV education for college females in mainland China was developed using a randomized controlled trial design. SPSS 23.0 was used for statistical analysis. The chi-square test and t-test were used to compare the difference in qualitative and continuous variables between the intervention and control groups. The generalized estimating equation was used to test the effectiveness of the intervention with a consideration of the time factor.
Results:
Among the 3867 participants, 102 had been vaccinated against HPV before the study at a vaccination rate of 2.64%. A total of 3484 participants were followed up after the baseline survey, with no statistical difference in the loss rate between the two groups during the intervention and follow-up periods. At different follow-up time points, HPV-related knowledge, motivation, behavioral skills, and willingness of HPV vaccination in the intervention group were higher than those in the control group. The HPV-related knowledge between the two groups was statistically different, while the motivation, behavioral skills, and willingness of HPV vaccination only showed statistical differences right after the intervention; reaching a peak right after the intervention, and then gradually being narrowed down over time. Furthermore, there was no statistical difference in the HPV vaccination rates between the two groups.
Conclusions:
The IMB model-based online education could be a promising way to improve HPV vaccination and reduce the burden of HPV infection and cervical cancer for high-risk college females in China. Clinical Trial: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR), ChiCTR1900025476
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