C2
Development and evaluation of a set of core Human Papillomavirus (HPV) messages to promote informed choice for both tests and vaccines for use in primary care and broader settings in the UK
Joan Austoker1, Alison Clements1, Sarah Damery2, Lorna Henderson1, Maggie Hendry3, Ruth Lewis3, Diana Pasterfield3, Dawn Swancutt2, Sally Warmington2, Clare Wilkinson3, Sue Wilson2
1Oxford University, UK, 2Birmingham University, UK, 3Cardiff University, UK
Background
Cervical cancer is the second commonest cancer amongst young women in the UK, and is preventable. 70% of cervical cancer is caused by HPV types 16 and 18. HPV testing will be introduced shortly into the UK Cervical Screening Programme, and HPV vaccination was introduced for girls age 12-13 in late 2008. Informed choice is only possible in the emerging testing and vaccine programmes if up-to-date, unbiased, evidence-based and relevant messages can be used to explain them. Knowledge about HPV is poor, and information currently in the public domain is complex, confusing and worrying.
Aim
We will present an overview of this study which is a collaboration between the Universities of Cardiff, Oxford and Birmingham. The aims of the study are to rigorously develop core HPV messages, that are relevant to both testing and vaccination, promote informed choice, minimise anxiety and improve disease control in primary care and broader settings.
Method
This study has three parts: review of the literature and information/education material, qualitative interviews, and community surveys (MRC Phases 0 and 1). The review includes a systematic review of knowledge, views and perceptions, a review of reviews to support core message generation, and a web-based review of HPV materials. Qualitative interviews will be conducted with relevant groups as follows: For HPV testing, these groups include women who would be offered an HPV test following a mildly abnormal smear, primary care nurses and GPs. For vaccination, these include vaccination age girls, their parents, school nurses and primary care nurses. The questionnaire survey will include two UK wide surveys of representative samples of the public and providers, designed to validate core messages.
Results
This study will provide the core messages to underpin a UK specific educational programme, which is urgently needed for both public and providers to promote informed choice.
