Randomised Controlled Evaluation of a Complex Intervention (Education and Logistical Strategies) to Promote Uptake of School-based Human Papillomavirus Vaccination among adolescents in a School-Based Program

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The study is evaluating the effect of a complex intervention including education and logistical strategies, to promote uptake of school-based Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination among adolescents in the Australian national School-Based Vaccination Program. Who is it for? We will recruit a random sample of Australian secondary schools to be part of this study; adolescents in these schools who are offered HPV vaccine as part of the national school vaccination program have the option to participate in our study. Trial details Schools participating in this trial will be randomly (by chance) divided into one of two groups. Schools who are in one group will deliver a complex intervention for promoting the uptake of the HPV vaccination among adolescents in a school-based program which consists of an adolescent intervention, a parent/adolescent decision aid, and logistical strategies. Prior to the first dose of the HPV vaccination, education is delivered by school personnel through the school in an interactive session. An educational magazine is given to students as take-home information designed by and for adolescents; a website and app providing information for students to access in and outside of school; and distraction/relaxation app for students to be used on vaccination day. A parent/adolescent HPV Decision Aid or a brief HPV information resource for parents and adolescents to use together is delivered to parents and adolescents at the time of the vaccination consent form. Logistical strategies include 1) guidelines for nurses and teachers regarding set-up of the vaccination room; 2) strategies to promote improved consent form return (reminders, direct mail-out to parents, incentives e.g. Classroom consent form return); 3) up to one additional vaccination visit to deliver mop-up vaccination to students incompletely vaccinated. Participants in the second group will receive the standard national school-based HPV vaccination program that takes place across all jurisdictions. This includes government funded HPV vaccination (three doses) for adolescents after parental/guardian consent has been granted. As part of this process parents/guardians receive a standard government brochure that provides information about HPV and HPV vaccination, and nurses follow standard state health department policy for delivery of vaccine in schools.