A randomized clinical trial to test the effectiveness of a multifaceted intervention to increase HPV vaccination rates
| ISRCTN | ISRCTN55473884 |
|---|---|
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN55473884 |
| ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT) | Nil known |
| Clinical Trials Information System (CTIS) | Nil known |
| Protocol serial number | 1.2 |
| Sponsor | MSD (Switzerland) |
| Funders | Merck Sharp and Dohme, Universitätsspital Zürich, Universität Zürich |
- Submission date
- 01/06/2021
- Registration date
- 04/06/2021
- Last edited
- 14/07/2025
- Recruitment status
- No longer recruiting
- Overall study status
- Completed
- Condition category
- Infections and Infestations
Plain English summary of protocol
Background and study aims
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a viral infection passed between people through skin-to-skin contact. Some types can cause genital warts or cancer. The HPV vaccination coverage rate in Switzerland is below the target rate of 80% that has been set as a goal by the Ministry of Health. The aim of this study is to find out whether a multifaceted, targeted intervention on general practitioners (GPs) increases HPV vaccination in Swiss Primary Care.
Who can participate?
Physicians who work in primary care and patients for whom vaccination is recommended according to the currently valid vaccination schedule can participate in the study.
What does the study involve?
The study includes about 4 hours of training on HPV and HPV vaccination for the intervention group. Physicians in the control group receive general training on the topic of vaccination, without a special focus on HPV. The overall number of HPV vaccinations is reported at 6 months.
What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
If the intervention leads to an increase in vaccination rates, it may increase the national vaccination rate against HPV. As there are no interventions at the patient level, and vaccinations only are given if recommended according to the national vaccination schedule, there are no study-specific risks for participating patients.
Where is the study run from?
Institute for Primary Care, University Hospital Zurich/University of Zurich (Switzerland)
When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
January 2020 to December 2023
Who is funding the study?
1. MSD Merck Sharp & Dohme AG, a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc
2. Institute for Primary Care, University Hospital Zurich/University of Zurich (Switzerland)
Who is the main contact?
Dr. med. Andreas Plate
Andreas.Plate@usz.ch
Contact information
Scientific
Pestalozzistrasse 24
Zürich
8091
Switzerland
| Phone | +41 (0)442557503 |
|---|---|
| andreas.plate@usz.ch |
Study information
| Primary study design | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Study design | Prospective cluster randomized controlled trial |
| Secondary study design | Cluster randomised trial |
| Study type | Participant information sheet |
| Scientific title | Impact of a multifaceted, targeted intervention on the human papillomavirus vaccination rate in Swiss Primary Care: a cluster randomized controlled trial |
| Study acronym | HPV RCT |
| Study objectives | The researchers predict that a multifaceted, targeted intervention with a focus on teaching a presumptive announcement recommendation style will result in an increase in the HPV vaccination (HPVv) numbers in Swiss Primary Care. |
| Ethics approval(s) | Approved 08/12/2020, Local Ethics Committee, Zurich (Kantonale Ethikkommission, Stampfenbachstrasse 121, 8090 Zürich, Switzerland; +41 (0)43 259 79 70; admin.kek@kek.zh.ch), ref: 2020 - 02341 |
| Health condition(s) or problem(s) studied | Human papillomavirus |
| Intervention | Study physicians will be randomized into two groups (control and intervention). A statistician not involved in the study performs the randomization. They will use stratified randomization. 1. GPs who are not already a member of the cantonal vaccination programs are randomized after stratification 2. GP practice level. If more than one GP from the same practice participates in the study, the researchers will allocate them to the same group 3. Number of performed HPVv during the baseline period Both groups receive a general study instruction, which consists of basic information about the order of the study, study conduct and reporting. Both groups will receive a basic educational session about vaccination. Control group: All GPs in the control group will receive a basic educational session about vaccination and the current national vaccination recommendations. The session will include all basic information about HPV and HPV vaccination to ensure that all GPs know how to provide vaccinations according to the current recommendations. Intervention group: In addition to the basic educational session about vaccinations, GPs in the intervention group will receive an intervention consisting of three parts: 1. Detailed information about HPV and HPVv 2. Information about the announcement communication method in delivering vaccinations 3. Information about logistics and administrative issues regarding the HPVv Duration of the intervention: about 3-4 hours of training. Follow-up. There is no specific follow up of patients in this study |
| Intervention type | Other |
| Primary outcome measure(s) |
Overall number of HPVv given in the first 6 months, reported in a specific case report form (CRF) at month 6 |
| Key secondary outcome measure(s) |
Current secondary outcome measures as of 13/02/2023: |
| Completion date | 31/12/2023 |
Eligibility
| Participant type(s) | Patient |
|---|---|
| Age group | Mixed |
| Sex | All |
| Target sample size at registration | 1980 |
| Total final enrolment | 5329 |
| Key inclusion criteria | The study patient population is equal to the target population of the vaccines of interest. GPs will provide vaccinations according to the current Swiss vaccination recommendations publicized by the Swiss Ministry of Health (Swiss vaccination schedule 2020) |
| Key exclusion criteria | Does not meet inclusion criteria |
| Date of first enrolment | 01/09/2021 |
| Date of final enrolment | 31/05/2023 |
Locations
Countries of recruitment
- Switzerland
Study participating centre
Zürich
8091
Switzerland
Results and Publications
| Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to share | No |
|---|---|
| IPD sharing plan summary | Not expected to be made available |
| IPD sharing plan | The datasets generated during and/or analysed during the current study are not expected to be made available due to internal regulations |
Study outputs
| Output type | Details | Date created | Date added | Peer reviewed? | Patient-facing? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Results article | 04/07/2025 | 07/07/2025 | Yes | No | |
| Participant information sheet | Participant information sheet | 11/11/2025 | 11/11/2025 | No | Yes |
| Statistical Analysis Plan | version 1.0 | 12/10/2022 | 13/02/2023 | No | No |
Additional files
- 39967 SAP_v1.0 12Oct2022.pdf
- Statistical Analysis Plan
Editorial Notes
14/07/2025: Total final enrolment and IPD sharing statement added.
07/07/2025: Publication reference added.
20/06/2024: The intention to publish date was changed from 30/06/2024 to 31/12/2024.
13/12/2023: The intention to publish date was changed from 31/03/2024 to 30/06/2024.
13/02/2023: The following changes were made to the trial record:
1. The statistical analysis plan was uploaded as an additional file.
2. The secondary outcome measures were changed.
20/06/2022: The following changes were made to the trial record:
1. The recruitment end date was changed from 31/08/2022 to 31/05/2023.
2. The overall trial end date was changed from 31/12/2022 to 31/12/2023.
3. The intention to publish date was changed from 01/03/2023 to 31/03/2024.
03/06/2021: Trial's existence confirmed by the local ethics committee, Zurich, Switzerland.
