A study protocol comprising educational interventions to improve HPV vaccination coverage among adolescents

Background Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the main cause of sexually transmitted infections, especially cervical cancer, worldwide. Several of HPV-induced cancers affect boys also and (25% of cases). In France, HPV vaccination is recommended for boys and girls aged 11 to 14, with possible catch-up vaccination up to age 19. However, vaccination rates remain low, particularly among boys. Greater knowledge of both potential HPV-induced risks and vaccination benefits in population will help increase vaccination coverage. Methods This article presents a research protocol aimed at improving HPV vaccination coverage among adolescents aged 15 to 19 attending Rural Family Homes in three French departments, through an educational intervention combined with the distribution of comic book. Comparative analysis of three intervention groups, followed for 6 to 8 months, one of which included the distribution of a comic book, will be carried out using a mixed approach combining quantitative and qualitative methods. Discussion Multidisciplinary researchers and field workers have proposed an intervention programme. It was carry out by health professionals from Maternal and Infant Protection services, knowing this public very well moreover. For its part, comic book was designed on collaboration with adolescents. School interventions and educational media such as comic book help to raise knowledge of the importance of vaccination among adolescents and their parents, and should be more widely used. Trial registration This research programme received a favourable opinion from the French regulatory authorities on 13 June 2023 (national number 2023A0069639). Clinical trial number not applicable.