Abstract
Purpose: Human Papillomavirus (HPV) has been identified as a causal agent for oropharyngeal cancers, suggesting a new role for dental hygienists in HPV-related cancer prevention strategies. Health literacy assessment is an approach that can be used to understand providers' informational assets and needs for educating and discussing HPV prevention with patients. This study aimed to understand dental hygienists' level of health literacy regarding HPV-related oropharyngeal cancers.
Methods: Four focus group sessions with dental hygienists (n=48) were conducted at a national conference. The constant comparison method, with a priori codes for health literacy competencies (i.e., access/understand/appraise/apply), was utilized for this qualitative study.
Results: Participants mentioned a variety of modes (e.g., magazines, journals) for accessing HPV-information; however, descriptions of understanding HPV and its relationship to oropharyngeal cancer varied. Participants considered patients' personal characteristics, the dental practice environment, and professional factors to appraise HPV-related information. Additionally, participants self-described themselves as being “prevention specialists.” These factors influenced how dental hygienists applied primary and secondary prevention of HPV-related care issues with their patients (e.g., education and oral-cancer screenings).
Conclusions: Dental hygienists recognized the importance of HPV and oropharyngeal cancer prevention efforts, including oral-cancer screenings and promotion of the HPV vaccine. The study findings identified opportunities for intervention focusing on primary prevention.
Footnotes
Erika L. Thompson, MPH, PhD is a postdoctoral fellow; Ellen M. Daley, MPH, PhD is a professor and associate dean of research and practice; Cheryl A. Vamos, MPH, PhD is an assistant professor; all in the Department of Community and Family Health and at the Chiles Center, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa FL.
Alice M. Horowitz, RDH, PhD is a research associate professor, Department of Behavioral and Community Health, Horowitz Center for Health Literacy, School of Public Health, University of Maryland, College Park, MD.
Frank Catalanotto, DMD is professor and chair, Department of Community Dentistry and Behavioral Science, College of Dentistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL.
Rita Debate, MPH, PhD is the associate vice president of health and wellness and professor in the Department of Health Policy and Management, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa FL.
Laura Merrell, MPH, PhD is an assistant professor, Department of Health Sciences, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA.
Stacey Griner, RDH, MPH is a doctoral research assistant; Coralia Vázquez-Otero, JD, MPH, is a doctoral research assistant; both are in the Department of Community and Family Health, College of Public Health, University of South Florida.
Nolan Kline, MPH, PhD is an assistant professor, Department of Anthropology, Rollins College, Winter Park, FL.
This manuscript supports the NDHRA priority area: Professional development: Education (evaluation).
Conflict of Interest
Ellen Daley has served on the U.S. HPV Vaccine Advisory Board for Merck Pharmaceuticals. All other authors have no conflict of interest to report.
- Received December 12, 2016.
- Accepted March 30, 2017.
- Copyright © 2017 The American Dental Hygienists’ Association