Abstract D028: Evaluating medical and dental students’ human papillomavirus-related cancer knowledge and perceived self-efficacy in HPV vaccine communication and recommendation practices
Authors: Torres Essie , Richman Alice , Wright Wanda , Eldridge David , Lawson Luan 
Published: September 2020

Introduction: Medical and dental care are largely siloed, making it difficult for these culturally, financially, and educationally different health care professionals to work together to provide comprehensive care. Engaging dentists in HPV-related prevention activities may be a meaningful strategy to reduce HPV-related morbidity and mortality. Therefore, effective prevention strategies coupled with systems-level strategies could improve interprofessional approaches in HPV prevention. We sought to assess HPV health literacy and intended HPV vaccination recommendation and communication practices among future health care providers. Methods: A 31-item survey for dental students and 25-item survey for medical students assessing HPV and HPV vaccine knowledge, willingness to administer HPV vaccines, self-efficacy in engaging in preventive efforts, and basic demographics was administered to students from a southeast School of Dental Medicine and School of Medicine. Surveys were administered in Spring 2018 for dental students (N=109) and Spring 2019 for medical students (N=105). Results: Dental students’ sample was 61% female, mean age of 25.79 (SD=3.31), 61% white, 48% 1st year and 52% 3rd year. Medical students’ sample was 51% female, mean age of 25.18 (SD=3.31), 58% white, 71% 1st year and 29% 2nd-4th year. Among our sample, 62% of dental students self-reported receiving the HPV vaccine (30% completion rate) and 56% of medical self-reported being vaccinated (22% completion rate). The majority (67%) of dental and medical students did not know most HPV infections clear up on their own within 2 years and that HPV-related OPC is higher among men as compared to women (66% of dental; 78% of medical students). In regards to vaccine knowledge, 54% of dental students were not aware of the recommended 2-dose administration and 45% of medical students were not aware of vaccine recommendations for gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men, transgender people, and for immunocompromised persons. When asked about perceived self-efficacy in engaging in HPV preventive efforts, 42% of dental students anticipated having an uncomfortable conversation with patients when recommending the HPV vaccine, 43% did not feel confident in performing oral cancer exams, 56% did not feel confident in recommending the HPV vaccine, and 66% did not feel confident in talking about HPV risk factors. Among medical students, 27% anticipated having an uncomfortable conversation with patients when recommending the HPV vaccine, 29% did not feel confident in recommending the HPV vaccine, and 37% did not feel confident in talking to patients about HPV risk factors. Final analysis will be presented at conference. Conclusion: This study can improve our preliminary understanding of interprofessional training opportunities for effective systems-level strategies to improve bidirectional access and communication across oral health and primary care to engage in effective HPV prevention across professions.

Citation Format: Essie Torres, Alice Richman, Wanda Wright, David Eldridge, Luan Lawson. Evaluating medical and dental students’ human papillomavirus-related cancer knowledge and perceived self-efficacy in HPV vaccine communication and recommendation practices [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Twelfth AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2019 Sep 20-23; San Francisco, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2020;29(6 Suppl_2):Abstract nr D028.