Starling, R., Nodulman, J.A., Kong, A.S., Wheeler, C.M., Buller, D.B., & Woodall, W.G. (2014). Beta-test results for an HPV information web site: GoHealthyGirls.org- Increasing HPV vaccine uptake in the United States. Journal of Consumer Health on the Internet, 18(3), 226-237. PMCID: PMC4159190.
While medical guidelines and the Department of Health and Human Services recommend the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine for adolescent girls, only 33% of girls in the United States receive all three doses of the vaccine. To improve HPV vaccination rates, the authors developed and pilot tested an interactive website, GoHealthyGirls.org, to educate adolescent girls and their parents about HPV and the vaccine. The program provides parents with information on HPV and the vaccine, and strategies for communicating with daughters and medical providers about the HPV vaccine. The module for girls uses a game show format. The website was piloted with a diverse group of 63 parents and their adolescent daughters recruited through community contacts and school-based health centers. Pre- and post-tests evaluated satisfaction with the website and changes in attitudes about the HPV vaccine. Participants found GoHealthyGirls.org informative and easy to use. Post-test results showed that parents were more likely to have favorable attitudes toward the HPV vaccine and had increased self-efficacy for making an informed choice about vaccination. A greater proportion of parents wanted to get their daughters vaccinated at post-test relative to pre-test. Results show preliminary support for the GoHealthyGirls website.