How culturally appropriate interventions may reduce HPV vaccine hesitancy among Ukrainian parents

Abstract Background There is the urgent need for innovative, evidence-based approaches to HPV vaccine promotion among underserved migrant communities. Objectives This study aimed to assess the impact of an educational intervention which consisted of 9 group and 27 individual onsite sessions in reducing vaccine hesitancy and increasing vaccine uptake among Ukrainian migrant and refugee (UMR) parents in Poland. Methods A pre/post study was conducted among 178 UMR parents who engaged in an 5-months intervention. We used this method based on the another program which evaluated an HPV vaccine intervention on vaccine completion in a migrant population. Participants were actively recruited by research staff from parents registered to a net of GP surgeries, using phone calls, then screened for eligibility and consented prior to participation. Four Ukrainian GPs were trained to deliver educational sessions. Parents completed pre/post-data on HPV vaccine knowledge and hesitancy via surveys distributed onsite. McNemar, and multilevel regression tests were used for statistical analyzes. Results Overall, 178/180 (98.9%) participants completed the follow-up survey. Parents demonstrated significant improvements in HPV vaccine knowledge and vaccination intent after the intervention. HPV knowledge increase was reported - pre: mean 5.2, SD ± 2.1, post: mean 8.2, SD ± 1.7; p < 0.0001, and reduction in vaccine hesitancy among mothers was observed - pre: 43.4%, post 35.2%; p = 0.04. A 1 year follow-up revealed that 135 Ukrainian children were vaccinated with the 1st dose of HPV vaccine at the vaccination point dedicated to the UMR registered for the project. Conclusions The study results emphasize the potential of culturally appropriate educational interventions for vaccination promotion among migrant populations and the importance of advocating for such interventions to improve HPV vaccination rates and reduce disparities.