O-86 An educational strategy to reduce HPV vaccine hesitancy among parents of adolescents from selected schools in Georgetown, Guyana: an experimental study

Methods: A quantitative experimental design with one control and one experimental group was utilized. Total of 58 eligible parents were randomly selected. A structured questionnaire consisting of Knowledge of HPV, perception, attitude and willingness to vaccinate was used in pre and post test. Ethical approval was obtained from IRB, Ministry of Health, Guyana. Statistical analyses included chi-square tests and odds ratio comparisons to evaluate effectiveness.

Results: The experimental post-intervention group showed 33% increase in awareness of HPV and its causal link to cancer and 70% overall level of knowledge regarding HPV transmission. Twenty-one per cent (21%) rise in parents choosing to vaccinate their child despite doubts. Fifty-four per cent (54%) reported that their primary reason for refusal or hesitancy in accepting the HPV vaccine was a lack of knowledge. Eighty-three per cent (83%) were confident in the vaccine’s effectiveness after the intervention. The main perceived barrier is “child is not at risk” (60%). The odds ratio showed that parents in post experimental group were 2.3 times more willing to vaccinate their children, 3.9 times more confident in vaccine’s benefits, and 5 times more likely to believe in HPV vaccine effectiveness. Statistically significant association was found between the gender of the parent and willingness to vaccinate. (χ² = 4.22, df = 1, p<0.05).

Conclusion: Educational intervention is effective in improving knowledge and willingness to vaccinate. The study underscores the need for sustained engagement with communities, leveraging trusted sources like healthcare providers and schools, and tailoring messages to address specific hesitations.