Abstract
Purpose:
There are 600,000 cases of HPV-associated cancers annually, the majority being cervical cancer and oropharyngeal cancer, where radiotherapy forms a major component of definitive treatment.
Despite the implementation of school-based HPV vaccination programmes, educational interventions are inconsistent and largely directed at parents of 11-13 year olds. As the average age of first sexual intercourse is 15-17 years old, a second educational intervention for middle adolescents could have a strong impact on HPV/cancer prevention.
This poster appraises literature relating to the impact of school-based educational interventions in 15-17yrs on HPV uptake and perceptions/knowledge of HPV and its associated cancers.
Methods and Materials
Randomised controlled trials and quasi-experimental designs (2007-2019) were included if they delivered a school-based educational intervention for 15-17 year olds, and measured HPV vaccination uptake or knowledge/perceptions of HPV and associated cancers. 701 articles were assessed for eligibility based on database searches.
Results
Fifteen studies were eligible and assessed using the Quality Assessment Tool for Quantitative Studies. All studies demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in at least one major outcome measure despite a wide variety in the design and implementation of interventions.
Conclusion
School-based HPV interventions for 15-17 years olds are uncommon but have the potential to improve HPV and associated cancer knowledge. Long-term studies may ascertain whether this translates to reduced HPV acquirement, increased cervical screening uptake or a reduction in HPV and associated cancers. Consequently, this could reduce the burden to radiotherapy departments who are already under pressure to meet national and international targets.
There are 600,000 cases of HPV-associated cancers annually, the majority being cervical cancer and oropharyngeal cancer, where radiotherapy forms a major component of definitive treatment.
Despite the implementation of school-based HPV vaccination programmes, educational interventions are inconsistent and largely directed at parents of 11-13 year olds. As the average age of first sexual intercourse is 15-17 years old, a second educational intervention for middle adolescents could have a strong impact on HPV/cancer prevention.
This poster appraises literature relating to the impact of school-based educational interventions in 15-17yrs on HPV uptake and perceptions/knowledge of HPV and its associated cancers.
Methods and Materials
Randomised controlled trials and quasi-experimental designs (2007-2019) were included if they delivered a school-based educational intervention for 15-17 year olds, and measured HPV vaccination uptake or knowledge/perceptions of HPV and associated cancers. 701 articles were assessed for eligibility based on database searches.
Results
Fifteen studies were eligible and assessed using the Quality Assessment Tool for Quantitative Studies. All studies demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in at least one major outcome measure despite a wide variety in the design and implementation of interventions.
Conclusion
School-based HPV interventions for 15-17 years olds are uncommon but have the potential to improve HPV and associated cancer knowledge. Long-term studies may ascertain whether this translates to reduced HPV acquirement, increased cervical screening uptake or a reduction in HPV and associated cancers. Consequently, this could reduce the burden to radiotherapy departments who are already under pressure to meet national and international targets.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Publication status | Accepted - 02 Mar 2020 |
