HPV Phone Apps
Yes, there’s an app for nearly everything these days, including HPV educational materials. Note: All of the apps described below are available for iPhone; some may work on other platforms as well. These apps are specifically focused on HPV alone. There are other apps that include info on HPV as part of a look at viruses, infectious diseases, sexually transmitted diseases, etc. I have not included those apps in my list below. I have not tested out these apps, and therefore disclaim the accuracy of any information presented there. FYI.
Fight HPV (developed by the Cancer Registry of Norway)
Target audience: adolescent and other women eligible for the HPV vaccine
This is a free social gaming app that teaches some of the basic biology about the human papilloma virus (HPV) and the vaccine that can prevent infection. According to the developers, “In Norway, cervical cancer prevention involves the participation of as many eligible women aged 25-69 years as possible. However, reaching and inviting every eligible women to attend cervical cancer screening and HPV vaccination is difficult. Using social nudging and gamification as a modern means of communication can encourage the participation of unscreened people. Simula Research Laboratory together with the Cancer Registry of Norway have developed Fight HPV, a mobile app game intended to inform adolescent and eligible women about cervical cancer screening and HPV vaccination while they play and, to facilitate their participation in prevention campaigns. Through its 60 levels, the player will learn about epithelial cells, different types of HPV (cancerous and non-cancerous), warts, treatments, vaccines and the screening process. Individuals will have to solve puzzles to defeat HPV and keep skin cells healthy and safe.”
Fight HPV (developed by the Cancer Registry of Norway)
Target audience: adolescent and other women eligible for the HPV vaccine
This is a free social gaming app that teaches some of the basic biology about the human papilloma virus (HPV) and the vaccine that can prevent infection. According to the developers, “In Norway, cervical cancer prevention involves the participation of as many eligible women aged 25-69 years as possible. However, reaching and inviting every eligible women to attend cervical cancer screening and HPV vaccination is difficult. Using social nudging and gamification as a modern means of communication can encourage the participation of unscreened people. Simula Research Laboratory together with the Cancer Registry of Norway have developed Fight HPV, a mobile app game intended to inform adolescent and eligible women about cervical cancer screening and HPV vaccination while they play and, to facilitate their participation in prevention campaigns. Through its 60 levels, the player will learn about epithelial cells, different types of HPV (cancerous and non-cancerous), warts, treatments, vaccines and the screening process. Individuals will have to solve puzzles to defeat HPV and keep skin cells healthy and safe.”
HPV Vaccine: Same Way Same Day (developed by the Academic Pediatric Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and Kognito™)
Target audience: pediatricians
This app was is for pediatricians and other healthcare providers. According to info on the Apple Store, the app “is a role-play simulation where you play the role of a pediatrician and engage in a series of practice conversations with a virtual family. Through these scenarios, you will learn how to:
- Introduce the vaccine in the same way and on the same day as other vaccines
- Confidently recommend the vaccine
- Effectively answer questions about effectiveness and safety”
Target audience: pediatricians
This app was is for pediatricians and other healthcare providers. According to info on the Apple Store, the app “is a role-play simulation where you play the role of a pediatrician and engage in a series of practice conversations with a virtual family. Through these scenarios, you will learn how to:
- Introduce the vaccine in the same way and on the same day as other vaccines
- Confidently recommend the vaccine
- Effectively answer questions about effectiveness and safety”
HPV Cancer Free (developed for the Texas Children’s Pediatrics group)
Target audience: parents
From the Apple Store: “As a parent, you want to do what's best to protect your children. Unfortunately, there’s a lot of confusing and conflicting information about the HPV vaccine. That’s why we want you to know the facts. HPVCancerFree was created specifically for Texas Children’s Pediatrics (TCP) parents… to learn more about the HPV vaccine and how to get it for your child.
HPVCancerFree contains information about:
• HPV infection and diseases caused by HPV
• The HPV vaccine – its purpose, safety, and effectiveness
• HPV vaccination schedule and recommendations
• Talking to your child’s pediatrician about the HPV vaccine
• How to get the HPV vaccine for your child”
HPVCancerFree is a collaboration between researchers and healthcare providers at Texas Children’s Pediatrics, the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) School of Public Health, and Baylor College of Medicine.
Note: this app is part of the Adolescent Vaccination Project and requires an assigned login in order to be used.
Target audience: parents
From the Apple Store: “As a parent, you want to do what's best to protect your children. Unfortunately, there’s a lot of confusing and conflicting information about the HPV vaccine. That’s why we want you to know the facts. HPVCancerFree was created specifically for Texas Children’s Pediatrics (TCP) parents… to learn more about the HPV vaccine and how to get it for your child.
HPVCancerFree contains information about:
• HPV infection and diseases caused by HPV
• The HPV vaccine – its purpose, safety, and effectiveness
• HPV vaccination schedule and recommendations
• Talking to your child’s pediatrician about the HPV vaccine
• How to get the HPV vaccine for your child”
HPVCancerFree is a collaboration between researchers and healthcare providers at Texas Children’s Pediatrics, the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) School of Public Health, and Baylor College of Medicine.
Note: this app is part of the Adolescent Vaccination Project and requires an assigned login in order to be used.
Plan HPV (developed by Mongoose projects)
Target audience: moms (curiously, not dads as well)
From the Apple App store “The team developed a mobile app for study participants (moms) to use when talking to their kids (boys and girls) about cervical cancer prevention—HPV (human papillomavirus). It is because of the role of HPV in causing most cervical cancers. The purpose of the HPV mobile app – To assist study participants (moms) in talking to their child(ren) ages 11-26 about HPV (as a method for primary prevention of HPV related cancer including cervical cancer).”
Target audience: moms (curiously, not dads as well)
From the Apple App store “The team developed a mobile app for study participants (moms) to use when talking to their kids (boys and girls) about cervical cancer prevention—HPV (human papillomavirus). It is because of the role of HPV in causing most cervical cancers. The purpose of the HPV mobile app – To assist study participants (moms) in talking to their child(ren) ages 11-26 about HPV (as a method for primary prevention of HPV related cancer including cervical cancer).”
E-HPV (developed by the Turkish HPV DNA Screening Program and the Turkish Society of Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology Guidelines)
Target audience: parents and others considering the HPV vaccine
According to the info on the App Store, “Transmission and eradication strategies of HPV infection became a hot topic while debates and scientific research on this era have created confusions and questions in minds. This scientifically based application is targeting to fight against and minimize all misunderstandings, confusions, questions on this hot topic by simplifying the national/international guidelines and answering all possible ….questions.
The proposals in this application do not provide any certainty. All individuals should be assessed personally. Cancer may be skipped with cancer screening programs. It is not 100% accurate. For this reason, consult your doctor for all your complaints.”
Target audience: parents and others considering the HPV vaccine
According to the info on the App Store, “Transmission and eradication strategies of HPV infection became a hot topic while debates and scientific research on this era have created confusions and questions in minds. This scientifically based application is targeting to fight against and minimize all misunderstandings, confusions, questions on this hot topic by simplifying the national/international guidelines and answering all possible ….questions.
The proposals in this application do not provide any certainty. All individuals should be assessed personally. Cancer may be skipped with cancer screening programs. It is not 100% accurate. For this reason, consult your doctor for all your complaints.”
BoyVac (under development)
Target audience: adolescent males and their parents
You can read about plans here to develop a mobile web app content targeting parents and adolescent boys aged 11-13 years living in New Mexico, a majority-minority population with large proportions of Hispanics, Whites, and Native Americans. The specific aims of this project are “(1) to carefully and systematically develop a mobile web app (BoyVac) for smart phones, tablet computers, and personal computers that will utilize Diffusion of Innovations principles to provide targeted information concerning HPV vaccine adoption to adolescent males and their parents, particularly minority adolescents and parents; 2) implement a comprehensive and rigorous test of the impact of the BoyVac mobile web app intervention on HPV vaccine adoption outcomes via a randomized efficacy trial (BoyVac v. usual and customary care); and 3) examine the dose-response relationships between mobile web app usage and vaccine outcomes within a components analysis.” The grant to develop this app is from the National Cancer Institute.
Target audience: adolescent males and their parents
You can read about plans here to develop a mobile web app content targeting parents and adolescent boys aged 11-13 years living in New Mexico, a majority-minority population with large proportions of Hispanics, Whites, and Native Americans. The specific aims of this project are “(1) to carefully and systematically develop a mobile web app (BoyVac) for smart phones, tablet computers, and personal computers that will utilize Diffusion of Innovations principles to provide targeted information concerning HPV vaccine adoption to adolescent males and their parents, particularly minority adolescents and parents; 2) implement a comprehensive and rigorous test of the impact of the BoyVac mobile web app intervention on HPV vaccine adoption outcomes via a randomized efficacy trial (BoyVac v. usual and customary care); and 3) examine the dose-response relationships between mobile web app usage and vaccine outcomes within a components analysis.” The grant to develop this app is from the National Cancer Institute.