(0224) HPV Vaccine Knowledge and Receptiveness Among County Hospital Otolaryngology Patients

Introduction: The human papillomavirus (HPV) is responsible for the rapidly increasing incidence of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma, including at least 70% of new cases in the past 30 years, such that oropharyngeal cancer now surpasses cervical cancer as the most common HPV-associated cancer. The HPV vaccine has promise for protecting against HPV-associated oropharyngeal cancer and is FDA-approved for its prevention. However, knowledge about HPV, its role in oropharyngeal cancer, and the vaccine remains low. Several publications indicate patient willingness for vaccine uptake is associated with clinician offering. We queried our diverse patient population to assess awareness of HPV-associated oropharyngeal cancer and willingness to receive the vaccine.

Methods: HPV surveys adapted from a prior validated study prepared in English and Spanish were distributed to patients 18-45 years old at the otolaryngology clinic in a tertiary county hospital in Southern California, where more than half of the patient population’s primary language is not English. The questions surveyed knowledge of HPV, oropharyngeal cancer, and receptivity to HPV vaccination.

Results: In total, 62 patients participated in the questionnaire. Of them, 47% (29/62) had heard of HPV, 39% had not (24/62), and the remaining 15% (9/62) did not know. Additionally, 31% (18/58) thought HPV could cause cervical cancer, while 21% (13/61) thought it could cause throat cancer. The rest responded “no” or “I don’t know.” More than half had not heard of the HPV vaccine (58%, 35/60), but if offered, 39% (23/59) would receive it, but 20% (12/59) would refuse. The remaining did not know or were unsure about receiving it.

Conclusions: Our findings show a significant lack of awareness of HPV and its role in carcinogenesis in our patient population. Despite a prior lack of knowledge, almost 40% are willing to receive the vaccine if offered. Only one-fifth would refuse. This is encouraging and underlies the importance of establishing informative platforms to disseminate knowledge on HPV and oropharyngeal carcinoma. Data collection is ongoing, with plans to implement pathways for HPV vaccine education and delivery.