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The HPV 9-10 Trial: Early Initiation of HPV Vaccination

Not Applicable
Recruiting
Conditions
HPV
Interventions
Behavioral: (Control) Recommending HPV vaccine for patients 11-12 years of age
Behavioral: (Intervention) Recommending HPV vaccine for patients 9-10 years of age
Registration Number
NCT04722822
Lead Sponsor
University of Colorado, Denver
Brief Summary

Every year, thousands of Americans die from cancers related to human papillomavirus (HPV). The vast majority of those deaths could be prevented with a safe and effective vaccine, yet many parents choose not have their children vaccinated when it is recommended at age 11 or 12. In this study, we will examine in a randomized trial whether earlier initiation of the vaccine at age 9-10 years will result in less parental refusal and higher rates of full vaccination at younger ages, before early sexual activity begins.

Detailed Description

The burden of Human Papillomavirus (HPV)-related disease in the US is substantial. A safe and effective vaccine has been available for \>10 years, yet the current rate of completion for the HPV series is only 49% for U.S.13-17 year olds. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends routine HPV vaccination at age 11-12 years (yrs), but states that the vaccine "can be given starting at age 9 years." Currently, the majority of pediatricians begin recommending the vaccine at ages 11-12 yrs, however, a recent retrospective study showed that on-time completion rates for HPV vaccine were much higher when the vaccine series was initiated at ages 9-10 compared to ages 11-12 (adjusted odds ratio, 12.8).

HPV vaccine should be given prior to sexual activity which occurs earlier than 13 yrs for many teens. There are compelling reasons to think that earlier initiation of vaccination at ages 9-10 might result in higher rates of acceptance of the vaccine and earlier series completion. First, many parents refuse HPV vaccine because they have concerns that vaccination could result in higher promiscuity in early adolescents if the vaccine is discussed in the context of sexuality. Initiation at 9-10 yrs, when few providers discuss sex, could put the focus squarely on cancer prevention, decreasing vaccine refusal. Second, three vaccines are recommended at the 11-12 yr visit, but many parents/adolescents are unwilling to receive all three at one visit. When one of the vaccines is delayed, it is almost always HPV vaccine. Initiation at 9-10 yrs when no other vaccines are given could result in less deferral of vaccination to mid-adolescence and higher rates of vaccination prior to early sexual activity. Finally, initiation at age 9-10 years has been shown to be feasible and, in an observational study, to result in higher rates of on-time series completion.

Therefore, we plan to test the effectiveness of shifting initiation of HPV vaccine to 9-10 yrs in a randomized pragmatic trial. Our Specific Aims are to: SA 1: Recruit practices in two states (Colorado and California), randomize in a balanced fashion to recommending HPV vaccine at ages 9-10 yrs or 11-12 yrs and provide standardized training to both arms. SA 2: Conduct a trial to assess effectiveness of early initiation on the primary outcome of age at HPV series completion; secondary outcomes will examine HPV series completion by age 13 and age at HPV series initiation. SA 3: Examine the effect of earlier initiation on length of time for HPV vaccine discussions and on parent/provider communication about HPV vaccine via audio-taping of visits, audio-elicitation interviews with parents and structured interviews with providers and clinic staff.

If earlier HPV initiation is successful in promoting higher HPV series completion by 13 yrs, this intervention could be rapidly disseminated and would have the potential to prevent thousands of cases of HPV-related cancers, their attendant morbidity and mortality as well as the costs of screening, diagnosis and treatment for these cancers yearly.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
RECRUITING
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
660
Inclusion Criteria
  • Practices in Metro Denver, Colorado and Metro Los Angeles, California (specifically UCLA medical clinics and clinics affiliated with Children's Hospital of Orange County)
  • Practices that have at least 60% of providers agree to participate
  • Practices do not currently recommend HPV at 9-10 years.
  • Practice must have at least 100 eligible patients age 9-13 years
Exclusion Criteria
  • Practices with less than 100 eligible patients age 9-13 years
  • Practices currently routinely recommend HPV vaccine at 9-10 years.
  • Practices where less than 60% of providers agree to participate in the study.

Patients whose data will be used to assess the outcomes of the intervention will be age 9-13 years old.

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Providers recommending HPV vaccine at age 11-12 years of age(Control) Recommending HPV vaccine for patients 11-12 years of ageProviders in this arm will routinely recommend HPV vaccine starting at 11-12 years of age.
Providers recommending HPV vaccine at age 9-10 years of age(Intervention) Recommending HPV vaccine for patients 9-10 years of ageProviders in this arm will routinely recommend HPV vaccine starting at 9-10 years of age.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Age at completion of two dose HPV seriespost-intervention assessed in year 5 of study, year 4 of trial

The primary outcome will be age at completion of the two dose HPV series. This is a time-to-event outcome, with the event of interest being vaccine completion. Comparisons between the intervention practices and control practices will be made. Practice electronic health records will be used to assess this outcome.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
HPV completion by age 13 yearspost-intervention assessed in year 5 of study, year 4 of trial

Secondary outcome will be HPV series completion rates by age 13. This will be a binary outcome. Comparisons between the intervention practices and control practices will be made. Practice electronic health records will be used to assess this outcome.

Age at initiation of the HPV seriespost-intervention assessed in year 5 of study, year 4 of trial

This is a time-to-event outcome, with the event of interest being vaccine initiation. Comparisons between the intervention practices and control practices will be made. Practice electronic health records will be used to assess this outcome.

Trial Locations

Locations (2)

University of California at Los Angeles

🇺🇸

Los Angeles, California, United States

University of Colorado

🇺🇸

Aurora, Colorado, United States

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