Improving HPV Vaccination in Military Women
Background: The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) has been identified as the biggest risk factor for cervical cancer and, despite the availability of a vaccine, HPV continues to be the most common STI in the United States. Approximately 79 million Americans are currently infected with HPV, and 14 million individuals will become infected annually, leading to more than 10,000 cases of cervical cancer each year. Most cases of HPV are asymptomatic and people are unaware they are infected; thus, patient education and vaccination are key elements to battling the problem. Significant reductions in new HPV infections and reinfection rates are possible with patient education and vaccine recommendation by health care providers.
Project Plan: The health care provider responsible for all women’s health visits in an active duty military treatment facility will provide patient education during regularly scheduled annual and/or initial well woman exams. Patients will also receive an educational handout and a verbal recommendation for the HPV vaccine. Immunizations can be provided at the close of the visit, if desired. Project effectiveness will be evaluated based on changes in HPV immunizations rates before and after the project.
Outcomes: Data collection is currently in progress, however it is expected that there will be an increase in vaccination rates among the women receiving patient education.
Conclusions: To be determined following review and analysis of results. It is anticipated that patient education during regularly scheduled well woman exams will increase HPV vaccination rates. If successful, a decrease will be seen in HPV infection rates, re-infection rates, and cervical cancer incidence.