Library Bulletin – Journal Articles – February 2010
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IMMUNISATION
FAIRLEY, C K. Rapid decline in presentations of genital warts after implementation of a national quadrivalent human papillomavirus vaccination programme for young women. Sexually Transmitted Infections Vol 85, No 7 - December 2009: 499-502
Abstract: Objective: This study aimed to determine if the Australian human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination programme has had a population impact on presentations of genital warts. Methods: Retrospective study comparing the proportion of new clients with genital warts attending Melbourne Sexual Health Centre (MSHC) from January 2004 to December 2008. Australia provided free quadrivalent HPV vaccine to 12-18-year-old girls in a school-based programme from April 2007, and to women 26 years and younger through general practices from July 2007. Results: 36 055 new clients attended MSHC between 2004 and 2008 and genital warts were diagnosed in 3826 (10.6%; 95% CI 10.3 to 10.9). The proportion of women under 28 years with warts diagnosed decreased by 25.1% (95% CI 30.5% to 19.3%) per quarter in 2008. Comparing this to a negligible increase of 1.8% (95% CI 0.2% to 3.4%) per quarter from the start of 2004 to the end of 2007 also in women under 28 years generates strong evidence of a difference in these two trends (p<0.001). There was no evidence of a difference in trend for the quarterly proportions before and after the end of 2007 for any other subgroup, and on only one occasion was there strong evidence of a trend different to zero, for heterosexual men in 2008 in whom the average quarterly change was a decrease of 5% (95% CI 0.5% to 9.4%; p = 0.031). Conclusions: The data suggest that a rapid and marked reduction in the incidence of genital warts among vaccinated women may be achievable through an HPV vaccination programme targeting women, and supports some benefit being conferred to heterosexual men.
KELLY, Bridget J and LEADER, Amy E and others. The HPV vaccine and the media: how has the topic been covered and what are the effects on knowledge about the virus and cervical cancer? Patient Education and Counseling Vol 77, No 2 - November 2009: 308-313
Abstract: Objective: In June 2006, the first vaccine for HPV was approved by the FDA and media coverage about the topic increased significantly. This study sought to explore the nature of the coverage and whether knowledge about HPV was affected by it. Methods: A content analysis, including 321 news stories from major newspapers, the AP wire and television news networks was conducted. A monthly RDD-recruited Internet survey with a national sample (n = 3323) was used to assess changes in population knowledge. Results: Twenty-three percent of stories did not mention the sexually transmitted nature of the disease and 80% left out information about the need for continued cervical cancer screening after vaccination. Exposure to health-related media content was significantly associated with knowledge about HPV, even controlling for baseline knowledge (OR = 1.62, 95% CI = 1.12-2.35). Conclusions: Changes in the volume of coverage over time were associated with knowledge about HPV, but the content analysis reveals that many of the stories were missing important information. Practice implications: Clinicians must consider the potential media source patients are using for HPV-related information in order to correct inaccurate or incomplete information that could affect health behavior.
KHARBANDA, Elyse Olshen and STOCKWELL, Melissa S and others. Text4Health : a qualitative evaluation of parental readiness for text message immunization reminders. American Journal of Public Health Vol 99, No 12 - December 2009: 2176-2177
Abstract: We conducted focus groups and individual interviews in a diverse population of parents to qualitatively explore preferences and readiness for text message immunization reminders. We used content analysis to review and independently code transcripts. Text message reminders were well-accepted by parents; many thought they would be more effective than standard phone or mail reminders. Parents preferred text message reminders to be brief and personalized. Most parents were able to retrieve sample text messages but many had difficulty with interactive texting.