Mobile health strategies to improve HPV vaccination uptake among parents of adolescent girls: a scoping review

Clinical Snapshot

Key Findings

• P Value: Not reported at review level; individual study p-values not synthesised

• Effect Size: Not quantified; narrative synthesis reports 'significant improvements' in HPV vaccine uptake across multiple settings without pooled effect estimates

• Primary Outcome: HPV vaccine uptake among adolescent girls, as influenced by mHealth interventions targeting parental decision-making

• Nnt Or Sensitivity: Not calculable from available data; no NNT, sensitivity, specificity, or hazard ratio reported. SMS-based interventions described as 'consistently' increasing vaccination rates; chatbot, web-based, and app interventions described as improving knowledge, literacy, and intention to vaccinate, with some studies reporting actual uptake improvements

• Confidence Interval: Not reported; no meta-analysis conducted

Clinical Application

mHealth interventions are generally low-cost and scalable relative to face-to-face educational programmes. SMS-based approaches are particularly feasible in low-resource settings with basic mobile phone penetration. App and chatbot-based interventions require smartphone access and digital literacy, which may limit equity of reach. Integration with existing immunisation information systems and community health worker networks would enhance implementation feasibility. Australia has one of the world's most successful school-based HPV vaccination programmes, with the National Immunisation Program (NIP) providing free Gardasil 9 (nonavalent HPV vaccine) to adolescents through the school immunisation programme. RACGP guidelines support opportunistic HPV vaccination in primary care for those who missed school-based delivery. Despite high overall coverage, pockets of under-vaccination persist in rural and remote communities, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations, and newly arrived migrant communities — populations where mHealth strategies may offer targeted value. The Australian Digital Health Agency's national digital health strategy and My Health Record infrastructure provide a policy-enabling environment for mHealth integration. TGA-approved digital health tools and AHPRA-registered practitioners would need to be involved in any formalised mHealth vaccination programme. PBS does not currently fund mHealth interventions, but state and territory health departments may fund digital health initiatives through immunisation programmes. The findings of this review, while globally oriented, are directionally relevant to Australian public health efforts to close vaccination equity gaps. Parents of adolescent girls (approximate age range 9–14 years for primary HPV vaccination series) in diverse healthcare settings, with particular relevance to populations with suboptimal HPV vaccination coverage, vaccine hesitancy, or limited access to traditional health education modalities

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination is a highly effective primary prevention strategy against cervical cancer. However, despite strong evidence of vaccine efficacy and safety, uptake among adolescent girls remains suboptimal globally, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Mobile health (mHealth) technologies have emerged as promising tools to address parental concerns, reduce vaccine hesitancy, and strengthen parental engagement in vaccination decision-making. OBJECTIVE: This scoping review aimed to synthesize evidence on the types of mHealth strategies implemented to improve HPV vaccine uptake among parents of adolescent girls and to examine the outcomes of these interventions. METHODS: A systematic search of major databases identified studies evaluating mHealth interventions targeting parental decision-making regarding HPV vaccination. Eligible interventions included text messaging, mobile applications, chatbots, web-based educational platforms, and other digital health tools. Data were charted and synthesized narratively. KEY FINDINGS: mHealth interventions were associated with significant improvements in HPV vaccine uptake across multiple settings. SMS-based interventions consistently increased vaccination rates, while chatbot, web-based, and mobile app interventions improved parental knowledge, vaccine literacy, intention to vaccinate, and, in several studies, actual vaccine uptake. However, intervention effectiveness varied by socioeconomic context, digital access, and cultural factors. CONCLUSION: mHealth technologies represent cost-effective and scalable strategies to improve HPV vaccine uptake by enhancing parental knowledge, reducing hesitancy, and supporting informed decision-making. Future implementation should prioritize culturally tailored, equity-focused approaches and integrate digital interventions with community-based engagement to maximize impact.

References

1. 1.Opaleye, O. O., & Esan, D. T. (2026). Mobile health strategies to improve HPV vaccination uptake among parents of adolescent girls: a scoping review. Vaccine. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vaccine.2026.128701