Empowering Active-Duty Service Members to Initiate the Human Papillomavirus Vaccine

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a common sexually transmitted infection that can lead to cervical, anal, oropharyngeal, penile, vulvar, and vaginal cancers. Active-duty service members are disproportionately affected by HPV, yet this population has very low HPV vaccination rates. Increasing these rates has the potential to prevent HPV-associated cancers. This case study describes a brief and focused educational intervention designed to improve HPV vaccination rates among active-duty service members.

AT A GLANCE

• Improving the rates of HPV vaccination among active-duty service members has the potential to prevent HPV-attributable cancers.
• Misconceptions about HPV and the HPV vaccine exist among active-duty service members, including the assumption that the HPV vaccine is a mandatory vaccine.
• Additional research is needed to identify the best way to educate active-duty service members about preventing HPV infections.