Stories to encourage HPV prevention for children ages 9–12
Stories to Prevent (StoP) HPV Cancers: A communication intervention to increase HPV cancer prevention in primary care
['FUNDING_R21'] · PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIV HERSHEY MED CTR · NIH-11308256
This project uses short videos of local cancer survivors shown to parents before primary care visits to encourage HPV vaccination for children ages 9–12.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R21'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIV HERSHEY MED CTR (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (HERSHEY, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11308256 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
As a parent of a child ages 9–12 you may be invited to receive a short video message before a primary care visit. Parents will be randomly assigned to watch a brief video featuring local cancer survivors sharing their experiences and recommending HPV prevention or to watch a control (placebo) video, delivered through patient portal or mobile devices. The trial tracks whether these pre-visit narrative videos increase the number of children who start the HPV vaccine series after their clinic visit. Researchers will also measure parents' thoughts and emotions after the videos to understand how the messages influence decision-making.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Parents or legal guardians of children aged 9–12 who receive care at participating primary care clinics and whose child is due for the HPV vaccine.
Not a fit: Families whose children are already up-to-date on HPV vaccination, whose children are outside the 9–12 age range, or who do not receive or watch the pre-visit videos are unlikely to benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could raise HPV vaccine start rates among 9–12-year-olds and help prevent future HPV-related cancers.
How similar studies have performed: Previous work shows narrative videos can improve vaccine attitudes and uptake in some settings, but using survivor stories delivered digitally before primary care visits for HPV prevention is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
HERSHEY, UNITED STATES
- PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIV HERSHEY MED CTR — HERSHEY, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: CALO, WILLIAM ALEXIS — PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIV HERSHEY MED CTR
- Study coordinator: CALO, WILLIAM ALEXIS
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions: American Cancer Society