Abstract B28: HPV-related oropharyngeal cancer: Knowledge and beliefs among staff at community-based HIV/AIDS service organizations (ASOs)

• Published in: Clinical cancer research 2020-06, Vol.26 (12_Supplement_2), p.B28-B28
• Main Authors: Tomar, Aditi, Balcezak, Hannah Catherine, Wigfall, Lisa Tisdale
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1078-0432; 1557-3265
• DOI: 10.1158/1557-3265.AACRAHNS19-B28

This study explores knowledge and beliefs about HPV-related oropharyngeal cancer among ASO staff (n=51) from five ASOs located in South Carolina (N=3/5 ASOs; N=30/51 staff) and Texas (N=2/5 ASOs; N=21/51 staff). ASO staff completed a 118-item, self-administered needs assessment survey. Data were analyzed using Stata/SE 15.1. ASO staff (n=51) were 78% non-Hispanic Black [mean age (years): 44.2 ± 12.8 SD]; range 21.6-68.2. More than half (59%) were females and predominantly heterosexual (61%). Most (67%) had at least an undergraduate degree, and 65% had more than five years of experience working with HIV-positive clients. Only 18% had ever looked for information about oropharyngeal cancer. Almost half (48%) were not sure about the role of HPV in causing oropharyngeal cancer, and fewer (31%) thought that the HPV vaccine is pretty/very successful in preventing oropharyngeal cancer. Over half (53%) did not think that a woman can do much to reduce her chances of getting HPV, and 60% believed the same for men. Very few (16%) thought of smoking as a risk factor for HPV-related health problems such as genital warts and cancer. A large proportion (73%) thought that quitting smoking can have a huge impact in lowering its harmful effects. People living with HIV (PLWH) are disproportionately affected by HPV-related oropharyngeal cancer. ASO staff play an instrumental role in educating their clients about HIV/AIDS-related health topics, and therefore fostering their knowledge and beliefs about HPV-related oropharyngeal cancer could help improve outcomes for PLWH. Citation Format: Aditi Tomar, Hannah Catherine Balcezak, Lisa Tisdale Wigfall. HPV-related oropharyngeal cancer: Knowledge and beliefs among staff at community-based HIV/AIDS service organizations (ASOs) [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR-AHNS Head and Neck Cancer Conference: Optimizing Survival and Quality of Life through Basic, Clinical, and Translational Research; 2019 Apr 29-30; Austin, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2020;26(12_Suppl_2):Abstract nr B28.