Assessing HPV-related Health Literacy For Oropharyngeal Cancer Among Healthcare Students

Objectives: Health care providers need comprehensive up-to-date HPV-related information to be able to provide correct advice to their patients. The aim of the study was to assess the knowledge, attitude and perception of dental and pharmacy students towards HPV and the associated risk of OPC. Methods: An anonymous self-designed, peer-reviewed and pre-tested questionnaire was distributed to students in dental and pharmacy programs at Roseman University during January-April 2018. Approval of the study was obtained from the institutional review board. The survey was conducted among university healthcare students through random cluster sampling. The objectives of the study were explained to the students, and their participation was entirely voluntary. HPV characteristics among the different groups of students were compared with the level of significance set as p < 0.05. Results: A total of 300 students participated in the study. While assessing the respondents' knowledge about HPV, 97.5% and 95.05% dental and pharmacy students reported that they had already heard of HPV, respectively. 65.6% and 44.4% dental and pharmacy students reported a link between HPV and OPC, respectively [P = 0.001]. In terms of attitude, 45% dental students and 67% pharmacy students reported not feeling comfortable asking patients about their sexual life [P = 0.001]. In terms of prevention, 74% dental students and 78% pharmacy students stated that HPV vaccine protect against cervical cancer [P = 0.65]. However, only 55% of dental students stated that it can protect against oropharyngeal cancer, in comparison to 60% of pharmacy students [P = 0.06]. Conclusions: Despite the general awareness about HPV among dental and pharmacy students, the survey revealed poor understanding of health problems associated with HPV, its prevention, possible ways of protection, and patients’ education.