Improving HPV vaccination rates in pre-teen and teenage boys

Purpose of the project: The primary purpose of this evidence-based practice project is to identify facilitators and barriers as well as best evidence clinical guidelines in improving the suboptimal HPV vaccination rates in pre-teen and teen boys. Methodology: This project evaluated the use of targeted educational interventions in vaccine-hesitant parents and caregivers in improving HPV rates. The project is a single group pretest/posttest design with no control group and purposive sampling of participants with boys ages 9-17 who have never initiated the HPV vaccine. Results: Statistical data indicate that one to one education regarding HPV vaccines does provide improved knowledge and creates positive changes in attitude regarding vaccine safety, vaccine efficacy, and sexual initiation. Implication for Practice: HPV education should be provided at the local level in order to reflect changes in both state and national levels. A closer look at the factors that prevent timely HPV vaccination in this gender group may be the sexual component of the vaccine. Therefore, it is important to develop strategies that promote policy changes at local, state, and national levels regarding HPV education.DNPIncludes bibliographical reference