Awareness of Human Papillomavirus and Its Association with Oropharyngeal Cancer

Abstract

Objectives:

Assess public awareness of human papillomavirus (HPV) as a cause of oropharyngeal cancer.

Methods:

A total of 477 participants were randomly chosen to participate in a 23-item survey at various shopping malls and Maxwell Air Force Base in 2012. The Chi-square test was used in statistical analysis.

Results:

Three hundred nineteen participants were civilians and 158 were military officer trainees (MOT). All MOT had a bachelor’s degree or higher, while 37% of civilian participants had a bachelor’s degree or higher. Eighty-two percent of MOT knew of oropharyngeal cancer, but 53% of civilians had not heard of oropharyngeal cancer (P < .0001). Most participants (75% civilian and 94% military) were aware of the connection between HPV and cervical cancer. Conversely, 75% of civilian population and 49% of MOT had no knowledge of the association between HPV and oropharyngeal cancer (P < .0001). The majority of participants (61% military and 81% civilian) did not know that both sexes were eligible for HPV vaccine (P < .0001). A total of 75% of MOT and 63% of civilians would agree to be vaccinated for HPV if it were free and they were eligible.

Conclusions:

Most people were aware that HPV is a causative agent of cervical cancer. However, the majority were not aware of the association between oropharyngeal cancer and HPV. Furthermore, many participants were not aware that HPV equally affects men and women and that the vaccine is available for both sexes. This underscores the need to educate the public on the availability of HPV vaccine and the association between HPV and oropharyngeal cancer.