Capella 4055 Assessment 1

Name

Capella university

NURS-FPX4055 Optimizing Population Health through Community Practice

Prof. Name

Date

Health Promotion Research

Human papillomavirus (HPV) continues to pose a serious public health threat, especially among adolescents and young adults, who are at a pivotal age for immunization. Due to prevalent misinformation and inadequate awareness, many individuals in this age category remain unvaccinated, increasing their susceptibility to HPV-associated diseases, including cancer. A well-rounded health promotion strategy is necessary to address this gap—one that educates adolescents, parents, and educators, dispels common myths, and improves access to preventative healthcare services (Schlecht et al., 2021). This study focuses on evaluating the burden of HPV among adolescents and young adults, identifying factors that hinder vaccine acceptance, and suggesting focused interventions to boost vaccination rates within Schwenksville, Pennsylvania.

Population Analysis

The primary population for this health initiative includes individuals aged 11–26 years in Schwenksville, PA. Although HPV remains one of the most frequently transmitted infections in the U.S., vaccination remains a cornerstone of cancer prevention. In Pennsylvania, roughly 68.7% of adolescents aged 13–17 are fully vaccinated. However, in rural communities like Schwenksville, vaccination coverage is notably lower at just 48.7% (PA.gov, 2025). This disparity underlines the need for strategies aimed at minority and underserved populations to increase vaccine literacy, availability, and acceptance.

Various challenges impede vaccination efforts in Schwenksville. These include limited access to adolescent-specific healthcare services, infrequent healthcare provider endorsements, and parental resistance often stemming from misinformation or cultural discomfort discussing sexually transmitted infections. As a semi-rural location, families in Schwenksville may face transportation barriers and limited clinic options (Lipsky et al., 2025). Adolescents’ knowledge gaps are compounded by their reliance on parental decisions, further necessitating community-based interventions.

Points of Uncertainty and Underlying Assumptions

Given the lack of Schwenksville-specific HPV vaccination data, it is assumed that patterns in the community mirror those observed in other rural Pennsylvania areas. It is also presumed that cultural and socioeconomic influences affecting vaccine hesitancy align with similar rural contexts. However, specific beliefs, health literacy levels, and trust in healthcare providers among Schwenksville residents remain largely undocumented. Furthermore, the impact of school-led health programs and local community interventions addressing HPV prevention is unclear. Gathering such data through local surveys or health department reports would enable more tailored and effective outreach strategies.

Community Characteristics and Relevance to the Broader Target Population

This health promotion initiative targets adolescents and young adults aged 11 to 26, along with their caregivers in Schwenksville, PA. Located in Montgomery County, Schwenksville is a small, semi-rural community of approximately 1,500 people (Datausa, 2023). The demographic makeup is predominantly White, with families typically belonging to the working or middle class. Although some healthcare infrastructure exists, access to specialized pediatric and adolescent care is limited compared to urban settings.

In this community, local schools and community centers serve as vital hubs for health information dissemination. With only one middle school and a few high schools, educational institutions can significantly influence adolescent health behaviors. However, due to conservative cultural values, many parents struggle to discuss sexual health topics with their children (Kim et al., 2023). Therefore, any HPV-related health promotion must be respectful of these values while emphasizing the medical benefits of vaccination.

The healthcare challenges experienced in Schwenksville are consistent with those seen in other rural areas across Pennsylvania and the U.S. Barriers such as inadequate healthcare infrastructure, mistrust in vaccines, and limited public health campaigns contribute to low vaccination rates. Nevertheless, a culturally appropriate, family-centered educational campaign—featuring school-based vaccine drives and discussions during parent-teacher meetings—can serve as a replicable model for similar rural communities (Kim et al., 2023).

Importance of HPV Prevention in Schwenksville

HPV prevention is particularly critical for Schwenksville, given its notably low immunization rates among adolescents. While the broader Pennsylvania adolescent population sees a 68.7% HPV vaccination rate, Schwenksville lags behind at 48.7% (PA.gov, 2025). Given the established link between HPV and cancers such as cervical, oropharyngeal, and anal cancers, increasing the community’s vaccine coverage is vital. Public health interventions that enhance awareness and improve vaccine accessibility can mitigate the long-term burden of HPV-related diseases in this rural population.

Factors Contributing to Health and Health Disparities

Several interconnected factors contribute to health disparities in HPV vaccination within Schwenksville. Limited healthcare availability, especially in rural contexts, reduces opportunities for timely vaccination. While local clinics do offer basic services, they may lack specialized programs or consistent vaccine supplies. Additionally, health campaigns in rural regions are often less comprehensive compared to urban areas, diminishing public awareness and outreach effectiveness (Magana et al., 2023).

Cultural attitudes toward vaccines—especially those associated with sexually transmitted infections—pose another significant barrier. Conservative community norms may cause discomfort in discussing HPV, leading to parental vaccine hesitancy. A widespread lack of understanding about HPV’s link to cancer exacerbates this issue (Zhang et al., 2023). Thus, community-based, culturally respectful education is essential to overcome these challenges and encourage vaccination.

Need for Health Promotion

Given these health disparities, it is imperative to implement tailored health promotion interventions. These should focus on educating both adolescents and caregivers about the protective benefits of HPV vaccination, particularly in cancer prevention. Increasing healthcare access through mobile or school-based clinics and enhancing community engagement will further support vaccine uptake (Zhang et al., 2023). Together, these efforts aim to improve health literacy and outcomes across Schwenksville’s adolescent population.

SMART Health Goals for HPV Prevention

To ensure measurable progress in HPV prevention, the following SMART goals have been developed for implementation in Schwenksville, PA:

Goal	Description	Outcome
Goal 1	90% of adolescents and parents will identify three facts about HPV and cancer following the educational session.	Improved knowledge measured by post-session quiz (Bowden et al., 2023).
Goal 2	80% of eligible individuals (ages 11–26) or guardians will pledge to schedule the first HPV vaccine dose within 30 days.	Increased vaccine initiation through verbal commitment and sign-ups (Zhang et al., 2023).
Goal 3	85% of participants will report greater confidence in discussing HPV vaccination with providers or family.	Enhanced communication skills and advocacy via confidence scale and role-play (Bowden et al., 2023).

These SMART objectives are tailored to build awareness, foster engagement, and drive proactive behavior regarding HPV vaccination in the local population.

Conclusion

In Schwenksville, PA, HPV vaccination is crucial for reducing preventable diseases in adolescents and young adults. The community’s low immunization rates stem from limited access to care, cultural resistance, and insufficient health education. A focused health promotion strategy—guided by SMART goals and community-specific interventions—can close these gaps. Through targeted outreach and education, this initiative aims to foster informed decision-making and increase vaccine uptake, contributing to a healthier and more resilient rural population.

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. https://datausa.io/profile/geo/schwenksville-pa

Capella 4055 Assessment 1

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

Capella 4055 Assessment 1

Zhang, Y., Lee, J., Taylor, S. D., & Gilliam, M. L. (2023). Overcoming HPV vaccine hesitancy in rural settings: A community engagement perspective. Public Health Nursing, 40(1), 37–44. https://doi.org/10.1111/phn.13087