JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection worldwide. In 2019, HPV was responsible for approximately 620,000 cases of cancer in women and 70,000 in men. HPV vaccination is highly effective against genital warts and cancers. However, only 14,1 % of girls et 1,2 % of boys under 16 years old are fully vaccinated in Reunion Island.

Objective:

The main objective was to assess the impact of two awareness-raising strategies to increase HPV vaccination rate among middle school students by involving them directly in the process.

Methods:

This protocol reports the design of a randomized, open-label, controlled trial which aims to evaluate the effectiveness of two awareness-raising interventions: peer learning and card escape game, in improving HPV vaccination rate among middle school students in Reunion Island. This study will span an entire school year, starting in August. Approximatively, 3600 students from twenty-four middle-schools in Reunion Island will be included, with schools randomized in three groups of eight middle-schools each (a/ escape game vs b/ ambassafor classes with peer learning vs c/ control with existing national vaccination campaign initiated by the national French public health institute). Different awareness tools will be implemented during class facilitated by science teachers from randomly selected colleges. The primary outcome will be the proportion of teenagers who initiate vaccination process, compared across the three groups using appropriate statistical methods. Teenagers’ knowledge of HPV will be assessed both before and three months after each intervention. Satisfaction will also be evaluated after intervention for each group.

Results:

We expect to have higher vaccination rates among intervention groups as compared to control group, though it is difficult to anticipate which intervention strategy will be more efficient.

Conclusions:

This study aims to improve HPV vaccination rate among teenagers in Reunion Island and will evaluate the impact of two awareness-raising strategies with innovative and engaging tools. If successful, the approach could be adapted and implemented in other regions of France or internationally.