Multi-Channel Communication for Improvements in Cancer Education and Outcomes (MICEO) in Underserved Populations

St. Jude Children'S Research Hospital, Memphis TN

Investigators

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Abstract

PROJECT ABSTRACT Childhood cancer survivors are a high-priority, underserved population for HPV vaccination. They are less likely to be vaccinated when compared to the general population and are more likely to develop second cancers caused by HPV as adults. St. Jude Comprehensive Cancer Center (SJCCC) is uniquely positioned to address observed disparities in HPV vaccination coverage among childhood cancer survivors by leveraging our unique reach across our catchment area and building on award-winning, state-of-the-art communication systems with those treated at SJCCC and their families. The overall goal of the proposed administrative supplement is to improve HPV vaccination coverage among childhood cancer survivors. The specific aims are to: (1) develop an innovative, culturally targeted, multi-channel educational campaign to enhance health literacy related to HPV vaccination and to improve HPV vaccination coverage among childhood cancer survivors; and (2) pilot test the multi-channel educational campaign to understand its impact on knowledge and intention and to inform the next steps. Our proposed plan will build on established and newly developed patient families and survivor-facing educational resources in English and Spanish, which are designed and disseminated to promote and facilitate health literacy. Our approach will be highly iterative and include engagement of key offices within St. Jude, including SJCCC Community Outreach and Engagement, HPV Cancer Prevention Program, Strategic Communication, Education and Outreach, Patient Family Centered Care, Patient Experience Office, Transition Oncology Program, After Completion of Therapy Clinic, and most importantly, through our regular interaction with patient families and childhood cancer survivors through the Patient Family Advisory Council and additional patient family advisors. The multi-channel campaign will focus on web-based resources and communities, social media platforms, Our St. Jude mobile application (app), traditional print formats, electronic medical record prompts for prescribed patient education, and peer-to-peer, patient family champion experiences. We will target the 10-30-year-old age group with approaches differentiated by 10-17-year-olds for whom parent/caregivers make vaccination decisions and 18-30-year olds who can make vaccination decisions for themselves, in most instances. We will develop and pilot test an HPV vaccination campaign across these multiple channels. Our project activities will be documented and monitored through a comprehensive process evaluation. The preliminary impact of our efforts will also be measured using qualitative, quantitative, and analytical data, including assessment of aggregated HPV vaccination rates before and after the campaign implementation period. Our efforts will be aligned with St. Jude communication and educational resources from the beginning to optimize sustainability. We will openly share our findings with other cancer centers and organizations serving childhood cancer survivors and continue to refine and test our approaches to ensure we are achieving impact through increased HPV vaccination coverage among childhood cancer survivors.