Andrew Cunningham Meaghan Rourke James Moeller Melissa Nayak
Henry Ford Health System
05-01-2019
HPV Immunization in student athletes receiving pre-participation physical evaluation at mass event versus other venues: a pilot studyBackground: The preparticipation physical evaluation (PPE) is requi..
HPV Immunization in student athletes receiving pre-participation physical evaluation at mass event versus other venues: a pilot studyBackground: The preparticipation physical evaluation (PPE) is required for high school sports participation in 49 of 50 states and represents a potential opportunity to provide recommended preventive health services such as immunizations. PPE can be completed in the primary care setting but is often done at mass participation events or retail medical clinics such as Urgent Care facilities. Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is a recommended immunization with suboptimal uptake in the adolescent population. Our aim was to determine if there is any difference in HPV immunization rates depending on location of PPE.Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study evaluating the HPV immunization status of athletes at a single high school in Wayne County, MI. The primary outcome was receipt of at least a single dose of HPV vaccine and vaccine series completion based on examination at a school sponsored mass participation event compared to an office based setting. Secondary outcomes were vaccination rates depending on examination by primary care physician and examination at Urgent Care facilities.Results: A total of 448 subjects (246 male, 202 female) were included. 51% of athletes had received at least one dose of the HPV vaccine while 39% had completed the series. There was no significant difference in vaccination rates depending on location of exam in an office vs a mass event. Athletes receiving their PPE at an Urgent Care had significantly lower rates of HPV series completion than those seen in all other settings (29% vs 43%, p=.004). PPE completion by the athlete’s primary care physician was associated with higher rates of vaccine series completion (45.6% vs 33.8%, p=.014).Conclusion: Athletes who receive their PPE in the mass event and office based settings have similar rates of HPV vaccine series initiation and completion. PPE completion at an urgent care facility was associated with lower rates of vaccine series completion. Overall, HPV immunization rates in athletes are low and the PPE represents a potential opportunity to improve immunization rates in this population.