Game-Based Intervention to Promote HPV Vaccination

This study will examine the feasibility and acceptability of an innovative game-based intervention designed for families of youth aged 11-14 to promote HPV vaccination; will explore changes in key outcomes and related measures; and will identify factors contributing to or impeding effective implementation in health clinic settings. The intervention and its approach have the potential to reduce health disparities in HPV-associated cancers in youth via low-cost technology and timely intervention.

Guided by Social Cognitive Theory, we propose to 1. examine the feasibility and acceptability of a new HPV preventive intervention, the HPV Detective video game, designed for youth and their parents; 2. explore pre-post, intervention-related change in vaccine intent and uptake as well as change in theoretically posited intervention mediators; and 3. assess the potential for broader intervention implementation. Using a sequential mixed-methods, 2-group (intervention vs usual care), longitudinal design, 64 parent-youth dyads (32/per study condition) will be recruited. Parent-youth dyads in the intervention will play HPV Detective (tablet format) at the clinic prior to the healthcare provider visits. The control dyads will receive standard clinic treatment.