Muslim African-American Women's Vaccine Decision Narratives and Technology Use Perceptions

The primary purpose of the study was to identify culturally-grounded HPV vaccine decision stories and health kiosk use perceptions among a young adult African-American women population to inform the design of an innovative, health kiosk to be used in Planned Parenthood (PP) health clinic waiting rooms. Interviews informed the design of engaging videos (decision stories) shown on the kiosk that encourages reflective and informed decision-making about HPV vaccination. The kiosk is also equipped with capabilities for women users to scan their phone and access free and tailored vaccine information (on a mobile website and on their mobile phone). METHODS: Qualitative interviews (eliciting vaccine decision narratives) were conducted with 24 women aged 18-26 and 2 PP staff. Vaccinated and unvaccinated (to uncover barriers) women were interviewed as well as 2 staff working at a Northwest Philadelphia Planned Parenthood clinic. Interview guides were developed that elicited vaccine decision stories and explored technology use perceptions (e.g., whether women would walk up to use a health kiosk in a clinic waiting area and whether women would scan their phone to receive free health information). Grounded theory was used to analyze data for emerging narratives. RESULTS: A majority of women (15/24, 63%) were vaccinated while a minority (37%) were unvaccinated. A majority (23/24) were sexually active with (8/24) 33% reporting condom usage. Most (18/24, 75%) had health insurance, and all women (100%) had a Smartphone. Emerging vaccine decision narratives showed (a) strong doctor recommendations among those vaccinated, (b) the importance of protecting your health if you want to have children, (c) a lack of health care providers (including PP) actively recommending HPV vaccination, (d) unawareness about HPV and the HPV vaccine, (e) the importance of including men in raising awareness. Technology/Kiosk use perception results showed: (a) Women were less aware of health kiosks but willing to use them, (b) Wanted kiosks to be interactive – comparisons were made with food kiosks common in gas stations and coffee shops (c) wanted kiosks to have headphones to provide privacy when navigating kiosk, (d) were familiar and willing to scan their phone at kiosk to receive free and personalized health information. CONCLUSIONS: African American women were receptive to using health kiosks and swiping their phone (giving their contact information) to receive free and tailored health information about HPV vaccination. Health kiosks using culturally–grounded messages whose content engages and resonates with the target audience show a promising approach for reaching an underserved community to raise awareness and increase access to preventive services.