Application of Message Framing Theory to HPV Vaccination in Undergraduate Students: A Scoping Review

Purpose: To systematically analyze the application of message framing theory in HPV vaccination among undergraduate students, explore its effects and existing challenges, and provide a theoretical basis for future research as well as evidence-based support for clinical healthcare professionals to develop relevant interventions. Methods: A systematic search was conducted across PubMed, Web of Science, CINAHL, Embase, the Cochrane Library, Wanfang Data, CNKI, and the China Biomedical Literature Database. The search timeframe spanned from the inception of each database to April 1, 2025, and relevant literature was systematically synthesized using a scoping review methodology. Results: The search identified 785 studies, of which eleven met the inclusion criteria. The main types of message framing applications were gain-loss framing and temporal framing. Interventions included information materials, manuals, web page information, and posts. The main outcome indicators included HPV vaccination attitudes or willingness, HPV-related/HPV vaccine-related risk perceptions, credibility of the information, basic attitudes toward HPV vaccine and willingness to search for HPV vaccine information. Conclusion: The application of message framing theory in HPV vaccination among undergraduate students is still in its infancy, with its effectiveness preliminarily validated. In the future, greater emphasis should be placed on applying message framing theory when disseminating HPV-related knowledge, with targeted reinforcement of gains and losses to meet the psychological needs of different subgroups. Additionally, more high-quality studies and multi-dimensional dynamic evaluations are required to verify its application effects and improve the reliability and accuracy of findings.