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304065
Association between Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine awareness and receipt and annual visit to a dental professional among young adults in the United States
Monday, November 17, 2014
Robin C. Vanderpool, DrPH, CHES
,
Department of Health Behavior, University of Kentucky College of Public Health, Lexington, KY
Corrine Williams, ScD
,
Department of Health Behavior, College of Public Health; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
Richard A. Crosby, PhD
,
Department of Health Behavior, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
Background: Currently, two human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines are FDA-approved for use among females and males ages 9-26 years for the prevention of cervical, vulvar, vaginal, and anal cancers as well as genital warts. However, nearly 2,370 women and 9,370 men are diagnosed annually with HPV-related head and neck cancer. Further research is needed to determine if these vaccines may also reduce the risk of oropharyngeal cancer. Similarly, more research is needed to determine if dental offices may serve as another site for HPV vaccination. To date, the relationship between annual dental visits and knowledge and receipt of the HPV vaccine among young adults – the group that experiences the highest prevalence of HPV infection – has not yet been explored. Methods: A cross-sectional analysis of the association between HPV vaccine awareness and receipt of an annual visit to a dental professional among young adults 18-26 years in the U.S. was conducted using data from the National Health Interview Survey (2011-2012) (N=8,598). Results: While there was no association between knowledge of the HPV vaccine and visiting a dental professional in the past year among young adults (men and women), those who had a visit were more likely to have received at least one shot of HPV vaccine (aOR=1.26, 95% CI 1.04-1.51). Additionally, having an annual dental visit was significantly associated with HPV vaccine completion (aOR=1.70, 95% CI 1.33-2.16) among women after adjusting for confounders. Conclusions/Implications: Dental professionals may play a key role in the promotion of HPV vaccination among young adults.
Learning Areas:
Epidemiology
Protection of the public in relation to communicable diseases including prevention or control
Public health or related research
Learning Objectives:
Assess the association between HPV vaccine awareness and receipt and a visit to a dental professional among young adults. Discuss the potential impact of dental offices as an alternative setting for HPV vaccination.
Keyword(s): Oral Health, Immunizations
Presenting author's disclosure statement:Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I conducted the present study as part of academic graduate coursework (Master of Public Health, University of Kentucky, USA). As a general dentist trained in Peru, a former resident of an advanced dental program in Orofacial pain at University of Kentucky, and a current public health professional, it is my responsibility to explore multidisciplinary workforce strategies that might help reduce gaps in public health interventions aiming disease prevention among populations.
Any relevant financial relationships? No
I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines,
and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed
in my presentation.
