The Effectiveness of Interventions Targeting Adolescents in HPV Vaccination—A Scoping Review

Adolescents are the target group for HPV vaccination. Studies that examine factors influencing acceptability among adolescents and interventions aimed at improving knowledge, attitudes, perceptions, intentions, and, most importantly, vaccination rates are less common than those addressing parents or healthcare professionals. The specialized literature was searched for studies evaluating the impact of various interventions on adolescents. In the final analysis, 41 studies were included (35 original studies and 6 reviews). Educational interventions increased adolescents' knowledge scores in the selected studies. Peer education proved highly effective in rapidly and significantly improving knowledge about HPV. Additionally, multicomponent interventions generated awareness and knowledge that persisted for months after the interventions. HPV vaccine uptake increased following educational interventions in 11 out of the 14 studies that evaluated this outcome; studies presenting multicomponent interventions also proved effective in improving vaccination rates. Higher HPV vaccine series completion was reported following a reminder system strategy. Interventions directed at adolescents, combined with strategies involving parents and healthcare professionals, can play an important role in improving HPV vaccination rates. Educated adolescents must be involved in decisions about their own health and can be a valuable source of information for their peers and parents.