Educational sessions on HPV vaccination for underserved communities in the Netherlands

Abstract Background Females with a Turkish or Moroccan migration background In the Netherlands, are among underserved communities with low HPV vaccine uptake. Several barriers within the health system are contributing to the low uptake of HPV vaccine. The most feasible and significant health system barriers to address are the Lack of or insufficient delivery of HPV (vaccination) information and lack of awareness raising initiatives about vaccine preventable diseases. Therefore, a tailored intervention, selected and adapted using the transferability approach is needed to increase HPV vaccination uptake. Methods Participatory Action Research (PAR) was conducted to engage and collaborate with key stakeholders, including community members to discuss on transferability of promising evidence-based HPV vaccination interventions and to tailor educational material. Educational sessions given by trained health promotors, whom are trusted members from the community, and a health professional have been organised to inform community members on HPV and HPV vaccination. Results Training materials co-creatively developed with health promotors and health professionals to ensure cultural appropriateness, language and medical accuracy seemed suitable. Smaller and larger educational sessions were organised, whereby collaboration with NGO's was key to build upon existing structures and networks. Conclusions Community members appreciated the educational sessions and health promotors functioned as key persons to ensure cultural alignment. Integration with existing structures is key and it required time and effort to develop training materials and to organise the sessions.