A brief information–motivation–behavioral skills intervention to promote human papillomavirus vaccination among college-aged women

BACKGROUND: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is prevalent among college-aged women. Although HPV vaccines decrease women’s risk for cervical cancer, the vaccination rates remain inadequate. OBJECTIVE: This study explored the utility of an information–motivation–behavioral skills (IMB) intervention in promoting HPV vaccination knowledge, motivation, and intentions among college-aged women. METHODS: In Spring/Fall 2012, 62 participants were randomly assigned to a single-session intervention or attention control and were assessed baseline, post-intervention, and at 1 month. RESULTS: The participants demonstrated adequate baseline vaccine knowledge, low HPV/cancer knowledge, and ambivalence about the vaccination. Post-intervention, the IMB arm demonstrated increased HPV/cancer and vaccination knowledge, motivation, and intentions. There were no group differences in vaccination at 1 month; however, the odds of wanting to get vaccinated increased sevenfold in the IMB arm. CONCLUSION: These results provide preliminary support for an IMB-based intervention in increasing vaccination knowledge, motivation, and intentions among at-risk women. Future research examining the efficacy of longer trials with larger, diverse populations is warranted.