NURS FPX 4055 Assessment 1 Health Promotion Research

Student Name

Capella University

NURS-FPX4055 Optimizing Population Health through Community Practice

Prof. Name

Date

Health Promotion Research

Human papillomavirus (HPV) prevention is a pressing public health issue, particularly among adolescents and young adults. This group is at a critical stage for receiving the HPV vaccine, which has been shown to reduce the risk of HPV-related cancers and diseases. However, misinformation and a lack of awareness about HPV continue to persist, leaving many individuals unvaccinated. As a result, they remain vulnerable to HPV-related cancers and other health complications. A comprehensive health promotion strategy is essential to combat these issues by informing the community about the importance of HPV vaccination and providing the necessary resources and access to preventive services (Schlecht et al., 2021). This research aims to explore the impact of HPV on adolescent and young adult health, identify barriers to vaccine uptake, and propose interventions to increase vaccination rates within the Schwenksville, PA community.

Population Analysis

In Schwenksville, PA, the target population for HPV prevention includes young individuals aged 11-26 years. HPV remains one of the most common sexually transmitted infections in the United States, and vaccination is one of the key methods of preventing HPV-related cancers. In Pennsylvania, approximately 68.7% of adolescents between the ages of 13 and 17 have received the full HPV vaccine series. However, in Schwenksville, a rural area, only 48.7% of adolescents are fully vaccinated (PA.gov, 2025). This gap highlights the need for targeted strategies to improve vaccine access and education within the community. Several barriers hinder vaccination uptake, including limited access to healthcare providers, lack of provider recommendations, and parental reluctance due to misinformation or embarrassment. Schwenksville’s semi-rural nature further compounds these challenges, as families may face difficulties in traveling to healthcare facilities (Lipsky et al., 2025). Adolescents, who often lack adequate knowledge about HPV, rely heavily on parental decision-making for vaccination.

Points of Uncertainty and Underlying Assumptions

Due to the absence of specific HPV vaccination data for Schwenksville, this analysis assumes that vaccination practices in this area align with those observed in other rural regions of Pennsylvania. It also assumes that the cultural and socioeconomic factors influencing vaccine hesitancy in Schwenksville are similar to those in other non-urban areas. However, there are unknown factors that may affect vaccine uptake, such as the unique beliefs, educational backgrounds, and healthcare experiences of families in Schwenksville. Additionally, the role of school-based education or community health interventions in promoting HPV vaccination remains unclear. Data collection through surveys or health department records would be valuable in refining the interventions tailored for this community.

Community Characteristics and Relevance to the Broader Target Population

The primary focus of the HPV prevention health promotion plan in Schwenksville is adolescents and young adults aged 11-26, along with their caregivers. Schwenksville is a small, semi-rural borough in Montgomery County with a population of approximately 1,500 people (Datausa, 2023). The community is predominantly White, with families from working- or middle-class backgrounds. While healthcare facilities are available in Montgomery County, they are limited in comparison to urban areas, and many residents must travel to nearby towns for specialized pediatric or adolescent care.

A significant characteristic of Schwenksville’s population is the reliance on local schools and community centers for health information and services. The community is served by a single middle school and several high schools, making these institutions key players in promoting health literacy. Many parents in Schwenksville hold conservative views and are hesitant to discuss sensitive health topics, such as HPV vaccination, with their children (Kim et al., 2023). Therefore, health promotion efforts must be culturally sensitive, family-oriented, and community-acceptable to be effective. These strategies should also emphasize the importance and benefits of HPV vaccination to ensure broader acceptance.

Importance of HPV Prevention in Schwenksville

The need for HPV prevention in Schwenksville is critical due to the community’s relatively low vaccination rates, especially among adolescents. While the state of Pennsylvania reports a 68.7% vaccination rate for HPV-associated cancers among adolescents aged 13-17, rural areas like Schwenksville report a significantly lower rate of 48.7% (PA.gov, 2025). HPV-related cancers, including cervical, anal, and oropharyngeal cancers, pose serious health risks, and vaccination is the most effective means of prevention. Increasing vaccination rates in Schwenksville is crucial not only for preventing these cancers but also for reducing the long-term burden of HPV-related diseases within the community.

Factors Contributing to Health and Health Disparities

Several factors contribute to the lower vaccination rates and health disparities in Schwenksville. Limited access to healthcare services is a major barrier, particularly in rural areas. Schwenksville residents often rely on a small number of local clinics for healthcare, and while these clinics provide basic services, they may not offer specialized care or vaccination programs. The limited availability of healthcare providers specializing in adolescent care further exacerbates this issue. Additionally, public health campaigns and vaccination drives in rural areas tend to be less frequent than in urban settings, leading to missed opportunities for vaccination (Magana et al., 2023).

Cultural attitudes also play a role in shaping health behaviors. In Schwenksville, conservative values may influence parental decisions regarding HPV vaccination. HPV vaccination is often perceived as being linked to sexual activity, leading some parents to reject the vaccine due to discomfort with the topic (Zhang et al., 2023). This lack of awareness about the long-term benefits of HPV prevention in reducing cancer risk contributes to vaccine hesitancy. Overcoming these cultural barriers through culturally sensitive education is essential for increasing vaccine acceptance.

Need for Health Promotion

There is a clear need for targeted health promotion efforts to address the barriers to HPV vaccination in Schwenksville. Educating both adolescents and parents about the benefits of the HPV vaccine and its role in preventing cancers is essential. Increasing access to vaccination through school-based clinics and community outreach programs will ensure that residents can receive the vaccine in a timely and convenient manner (Zhang et al., 2023). By focusing on these strategies, the community can reduce the burden of HPV-related diseases and improve overall health outcomes.

SMART Health Goals for HPV Prevention

To address the HPV prevention challenge in Schwenksville, the following SMART goals have been set:

Goal 1: By the end of the educational session, 90% of participating adolescents and parents will correctly identify at least three key facts about HPV and its connection to cancer.
- This goal targets knowledge about HPV and its link to cancer. It is measurable through a post-session quiz and achievable using visual aids, handouts, and interactive discussions (Bowden et al., 2023). The goal is time-bound, with knowledge assessed immediately after the session.
Goal 2: By the end of the educational session, at least 80% of eligible participants (ages 11-26) or their guardians will commit verbally to scheduling the first dose of the HPV vaccine within the next 30 days.
- This goal focuses on increasing vaccine initiation. It is measurable through verbal pledges or sign-ups and achievable by providing on-site resources, such as clinic lists and scheduling support (Zhang et al., 2023). The goal is time-bound with a 30-day window for scheduling.
Goal 3: By the end of the educational session, 85% of participants will express increased confidence in discussing HPV vaccination with healthcare providers or family members, as measured by a confidence scale.
- This goal aims to improve communication about HPV vaccination. It is measurable through a pre- and post-session confidence scale and achievable through role-play exercises, handouts, and small group discussions (Bowden et al., 2023). The goal is time-bound, with outcomes assessed immediately following the session.

Conclusion

Addressing HPV prevention in Schwenksville, PA, is critical due to the low vaccination rates and the health disparities present in this rural community. Barriers such as limited healthcare access, cultural beliefs, and low health literacy contribute to the low vaccine uptake. Implementing a targeted health promotion strategy will improve awareness and increase vaccination rates. SMART goals ensure that interventions are specific, measurable, and achievable, leading to significant changes in the community’s health outcomes. With continued education and targeted interventions, Schwenksville can work towards eradicating HPV-related diseases.

References

Bowden, S., Doulgeraki, T., Bouras, E., Markozannes, G., Athanasiou, A., Grout-Smith, H., Kechagias, K. S., Zuber, V., Chadeau-Hyam, M., Flanagan, J. M., Tsilidis, K. K., & Kyrgiou, M. (2023). Risk factors for human papillomavirus infection, cervical intraepithelial neoplasia, and cervical cancer: An umbrella review and follow-up Mendelian randomisation studies. Biomed Central Medicine, 21(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12916-023-02965-w

Datausa. (2023). Schwenksville, PA | Data USA. Datausa.io. https://datausa.io/profile/geo/schwenksville-pa

Kim, S., Ou, L., Larkey, L., Todd, M., & Han, Y. (2023). Developing a culturally and linguistically congruent digital storytelling intervention in Vietnamese and Korean American mothers of human papillomavirus–vaccinated children: Feasibility and acceptability study. JMIR Formative Research, 7, e45696. https://doi.org/10.2196/45696

Lipsky, M. S., Wolfe, G., Radilla, B. A., & Hung, M. (2025). Human papillomavirus: A narrative review for dental providers in prevention and care. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 22(3), e439. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22030439

Magana, K., Strand, L., Love, M., Moore, T., Peña, A., Ito Ford, A., & Vassar, M. (2023). Health inequities in human papillomavirus prevention, diagnostics, and clinical care in the USA: A scoping review. Sexually Transmitted Infections, 99(2), 128–136. https://doi.org/10.1136/sextrans-2022-055587

PA.gov. (2025). Pennsylvania adolescent immunization rates. https://www.pa.gov

NURS FPX 4055 Assessment 1 Health Promotion Research

Schlecht, N. F., Babinski, M., Honerkamp-Smith, G., & Dang, C. (2021). Human papillomavirus (HPV): Biology, epidemiology, and prevention. Diseases, 9(4), 75. https://doi.org/10.3390/diseases9040075

Zhang, X., Brereton, M. F., Covert, H., Sanchez, A., Owens, C., & Nickel, K. B. (2023). Barriers and facilitators to adolescent human papillomavirus vaccination in the United States: A systematic review of randomized control trials. Preventive Medicine Reports, 33, 102161. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pmedr.2023.102161