An Innovative Program to Increase HPV Vaccination Rates
in Hispanic Adolescents
What is the For Our Children program?
For Our Children (Por Nuestros Hijos) is a theory-based program designed to educate Hispanic parents about the human papillomavirus (HPV), and motivate them to vaccinate their adolescent children (11 - 17 years).
The program features bilingual resources, which health professionals can use to educate parents about HPV, and address parental concerns about the HPV vaccine.
This program was developed by the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston School of Public Health with funding from the Cancer Prevention & Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT).
What is HPV?
Human Papillomavirus or HPV is a common virus that causes genital, oral and skin infections. There are more than 100 types of HPV.
Most HPV infections clear up on their own and do not cause any symptoms. However, when HPV does not go away, it can cause health problems like cancer and genital warts.
HPV is the major cause of cervical cancer, as well as some cancers of the anus, vagina, vulva, penis and oropharynx (back of the throat).
Why is HPV vaccination important?
HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States. Currently, about 79 million Americans are infected with HPV, and another 14 million become infected each year. Around 50% of new infections occur in people aged between 15 to 24 years.
Every year, about 31,000 Americans develop HPV-related cancers. Most of these cancers can be prevented by the HPV vaccine.
The HPV vaccine is routinely recommend for boys and girls aged 11 or 12 years, and can be started at age 9 years. The vaccine is available to young women through age 26 years and young men through age 21 years.
Although the HPV vaccine is safe and effective, vaccination rates in the United States remain low.
Parents usually decide if their child will get the HPV vaccine. Some parents may be interested in vaccination but still have questions about the HPV vaccine. A strong recommendation from a healthcare professional can persuade parents to vaccinate their child against HPV-related cancers.
For more information visit: HPV For Parents & Public or HPV for Clinicians
Program Materials
Educational Resources for Parents
The resources below are designed to educate Hispanic parents about HPV and motivate them to vaccinate their adolescent children.
Tailored Interactive Multimedia Intervention (TIMI)
The TIMI is an interactive web-based application that provides parents with information about HPV, HPV-related cancers, and the HPV vaccine.
The TIMI follows the story of a mother as she decides to vaccinate her child against HPV. It uses video clips and presentations by a health professional to encourage parents to vaccinate their children. The TIMI tailors information based on parents answers to a series of questions about HPV and the vaccine. Click here to view the TIMI.
Fotonovela
The fotonovela is a printed brochure commonly used in Hispanic communities. It is similar to a comic book, using photographs and dialogue boxes to present information about HPV and HPV vaccination. It follows the same story as the TIMI and addresses common barriers to HPV vaccination.
Click on the links below to view the fotonovela:
Program Manual
The program manual provides a step-by-step guide on how to deliver the For Our Children program.
HPV Information
Below is additional information about HPV, HPV-related cancers, and the HPV vaccine.
HPV information for parents:
- HPV vaccine information
- HPV Vaccine: What you need to know
- HPV vaccine safety
- HPV vaccination schedule
HPV information for health professionals:
How to use this program
The For Our Children includes educational resources, which health professionals can use to educate Hispanic parents about HPV, and motivate them to vaccinate their adolescent children.
This section provides a step-by-step guide on how to use the For Our Children program.
The first step is to identify who will deliver the program and what resources they will need. Use the checklist below to help plan program delivery:
- Identify staff (facilitators) to deliver the program. This could be community health workers, clinic staff or other health professionals.
- Identify a staff member to coordinate the program. This person will oversee program delivery and evaluation.
- Identify a health educator to train staff how to use the program.
- Schedule a training session for staff.
- Allocate the resources needed to deliver the program (tablet, PC and internet access).
- Download training materials and print program resources.
See the Program Manual for more information on program delivery.
Staff training
Before delivering the program, staff (facilitators and program coordinators) should complete the For Our Children training.
A training package is available for organizations interested in delivering the program. It provides background information on HPV vaccination and explains how to use program materials to educate parents.
The training is divided into two sections:
- HPV knowledge: This section provides background information on HPV, HPV-related cancers, and the HPV vaccine. It also explores common parental concerns regarding HPV vaccination.
- Communication skills: The section provides a step-by-step guide on how to deliver the program and builds the communication skills required to educate parents about HPV and the HPV vaccine..
The For Our Children training has been accredited by the Texas Department of State Health Services for continuing education credits for Community Health Workers (4 hours).
Testimonials
For more information about this program please contact:
Ileska Valencia, Program Coordinator
University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston School of Public Health
