Diş Hekimliği Fakültesi Öğrencileri ve Araştırma Görevlilerinin HPV Hakkında Bilgi ve Farkındalık Seviyelerinin Değerlendirilmesi

Year 2025, Volume: 12 Issue: 3, 415 - 420, 29.12.2025

Şeriye Mert , Burak Kerem Apaydın , Ezgi Uzun

https://doi.org/10.15311/selcukdentj.1670757

https://izlik.org/JA93AN32GF

Abstract

Öz:
Amaç: Bu anket çalışması, Pamukkale Üniversitesi Diş Hekimliği Fakültesi’nde öğrenim gören dördüncü ve beşinci sınıf öğrencileri ile araştırma görevlilerinin human papilloma virüsü (HPV) enfeksiyonu, HPV aşıları ve HPV ile ilişkili ağız kanserleri hakkındaki bilgi düzeylerini ve farkındalıklarını ölçmeyi hedeflemektedir.
Gereç ve Yöntemler: Bu çalışmaya, dördüncü ve beşinci sınıf öğrencileri ile araştırma görevlisi statüsünde olan ve çalışmaya katılmaya gönüllü olan toplam 185 birey dahil edilmiştir. Katılımcılara, demografik bilgileri ile HPV enfeksiyonu ve aşısı konusundaki bilgi seviyelerini değerlendiren sorular içeren bir anket uygulanmıştır. Veriler, SPSS yazılımı ile analiz edilerek kategorik değişkenlerin değerlendirilmesinde Ki-kare testi kullanılmıştır.
Bulgular: Çalışmaya dahil edilen katılımcıların 104’ü (% 56.2) dördüncü sınıf öğrencisi, 54’ü (% 26.2) beşinci sınıf öğrencisi ve 32’si (% 17.3) araştırma görevlisidir. Genel olarak katılımcıların HPV hakkında bilgi sahibi olduğu, ancak HPV aşısının etkinliği ve güvenliği konusunda farkındalık eksikliklerinin bulunduğu tespit edilmiştir. Ayrıca, HPV ve aşılarıyla ilgili bazı sorularda, dördüncü sınıf öğrencilerinin yanlış yanıt verme oranının beşinci sınıf öğrencilerine ve araştırma görevlilerine kıyasla daha yüksek olduğu belirlenmiştir.
Sonuç: Çalışmamızda diş hekimliği öğrencileri ve araştırma görevlilerinin HPV hakkındaki bilgi düzeylerinin eğitim seviyesi ile doğru orantılı olarak arttığı gözlemlenmektedir. HPV enfeksiyonlarının önlenmesi ve HPV ilişkili ağız kanserlerinin erken teşhisi için diş hekimlerinin farkındalığının artırılması gerekmektedir. Bu doğrultuda, diş hekimliği eğitiminde HPV ile ilgili içeriklerin güçlendirilmesi, farkındalık kampanyalarının düzenlenmesi ve doğru bilgilendirme çalışmalarının yaygınlaştırılması önerilmektedir.
Anahtar kelimeler: Ağız kanseri, Diş Hekimliği, Human Papilloma Virüs (HPV)

Keywords

Ağız Kanseri , Diş Hekimliği , Human Papilloma Virüs (HPV)

Evaluation of Knowledge and Awareness Levels Regarding Human Papillomavirus Among Dental Faculty Students and Research Assistants:

https://izlik.org/JA93AN32GF

Abstract

Abstract
Objective: This survey study aims to assess the knowledge and awareness levels of fourth- and fifth-year students, as well as research assistants, at Pamukkale University Faculty of Dentistry regarding human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, HPV vaccines, and HPV-related oral cancers.
Materials and Methods: A total of 185 individuals, including fourth- and fifth-year students and research assistants who voluntarily participated in the study, were included. A questionnaire containing questions evaluating demographic information and knowledge levels about HPV infection and vaccination was administered to the participants. The data were analyzed using SPSS software, and the chi-square test was employed to evaluate categorical variables.
Results: Among the participants, 104 (56.2%) were fourth-year students, 54 (26.2%) were fifth-year students, and 32 (17.3%) were research assistants. Overall, it was determined that the participants had knowledge about HPV; however, there were deficiencies in awareness regarding the efficacy and safety of the HPV vaccine. Additionally, in some HPV-related questions, fourth-year students had a higher rate of incorrect responses compared to fifth-year students and research assistants.
Conclusion: Our study indicates that the knowledge levels of dentistry students and research assistants regarding HPV increase proportionally with their level of education. It is essential to enhance the awareness of dentists for the prevention of HPV infections and the early diagnosis of HPV-related oral cancers. In this context, strengthening HPV-related content in dental education, organizing awareness campaigns, and expanding accurate information dissemination efforts are recommended.
Keywords: Oral cancer, Dentistry, Human Papillomavirus (HPV)

Keywords

Oral cancer , Dentistry , Human Papillomavirus (HPV)

References

• 1. Chamoli A, Gosavi AS, Shirwadkar UP, Shukla P, Jadhav K, Sharma A, et al. Overview of oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma: risk factors, mechanisms, and diagnostics. Oral Oncol. 2021; 121:105451.
• 2. Deveci H,Uğar Çankal DA.Ağız kanserleri ve diş hekimlerinin rolü.otd.2019;(1):78-84
• 3. Lechner M, Liu J, Masterson L, Fenton TR. HPV-associated oropharyngeal cancer: epidemiology, molecular biology and clinical management. Nat Rev Clin Oncol. 2022;19(5):306-327.
• 4. Rutkoski H, Tay DL, Dixon BL, et al. A multi-state evaluation of oral health students' knowledge of human papillomavirus-related oropharyngeal cancer and HPV vaccination. J Cancer Educ. 2020;35(5):1017-25.
• 5. Saraiya M, Unger ER, Thompson TD, et al. US assessment of HPV types in cancers: implications for current and 9-valent HPV vaccines. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2015;107(6): djv086.
• 6. Kombe Kombe AJ, Li B, Zahid A, et al. Epidemiology and burden of human papillomavirus and related diseases, molecular pathogenesis, and vaccine evaluation. Front Public Health. 2021; 8:552028.
• 7. Roman BR, Aragones A. Epidemiology and incidence of HPV-related cancers of the head and neck. J Surg Oncol. 2021;124(6):920-922.
• 8. Lechner M, Liu J, Masterson L, Fenton TR. HPV-associated oropharyngeal cancer: epidemiology, molecular biology and clinical management. Nat Rev Clin Oncol. 2022;19(5):306-327.
• 9. Candotto V, Lauritano D, Nardone M, et al. HPV infection in the oral cavity: epidemiology, clinical manifestations and relationship with oral cancer. Oral Implantol (Rome). 2017;10(3):209.
• 10. Liao CI, Francoeur AA, Kapp DS, Caesar MAP, Huh WK, Chan JK. Trends in human papillomavirus-associated cancers, demographic characteristics, and vaccinations in the US, 2001-2017. JAMA Netw Open. 2022;5(3): e222530.
• 11. D'Souza G, Wentz A, Kluz N, et al. Sex differences in risk factors and natural history of oral human papillomavirus infection. J Infect Dis. 2016;213(12):1893-1896.
• 12. Macilwraith P, Malsem E, Dushyanthen S. The effectiveness of HPV vaccination on the incidence of oropharyngeal cancers in men: a review. Infect Agent Cancer. 2023;18(1):24.
• 13. Daley E, Dodd V, DeBate R, et al. Prevention of HPV-related oral cancer: assessing dentists' readiness. Public Health. 2014;128(3):231-238.
• 14. Rutkoski H, Tay DL, Dixon BL, et al. A multi-state evaluation of oral health students' knowledge of human papillomavirus-related oropharyngeal cancer and HPV vaccination. J Cancer Educ. 2020;35(5):1017-1025.
• 15. Betz SJ. HPV-related papillary lesions of the oral mucosa: a review. Head Neck Pathol. 2019 Mar;13(1):80–90.
• 16. Lorenzo-Pouso AI, Gándara-Vila P, Banga C, et al. Human papillomavirus-related oral cancer: knowledge and awareness among Spanish dental students. J Cancer Educ. 2019;34(4):782-788.
• 17. Arnell TL, York C, Nadeau A, et al. The role of the dental community in oropharyngeal cancer prevention through HPV vaccine advocacy. J Cancer Educ. 2021;36(2):299-304.
• 18. Özdede M, Bağcı N, Gündüz T, Peker İ. Evaluation of knowledge and awareness of dentists and dental students about human papillomavirus vaccination and oropharyngeal cancer relationship. Clin Exp Health Sci. 2020;10(3):309-315.
• 19. Daley EM, Thompson EL, Vamos CA, et al. HPV-related knowledge among dentists and dental hygienists. J Cancer Educ. 2018;33(4):901-906.
• 20. Patel S, Koskan A, Spolarich A, Perry M, Flood T. Dental professionals’ knowledge, attitudes, and practice behaviors related to human papillomavirus vaccination. J Public Health Dent. 2020;80(1):61-69.
• 21. Poelman MR, Brand HS, Forouzanfar T, Daley EM, Jager DHJ. Prevention of HPV-related oral cancer by dentists: assessing the opinion of Dutch dental students. J Cancer Educ. 2017;33(6):1347.
• 22. Waller J, Ostini R, Marlow LAV, McCaffery K, Zimet G. Validation of a measure of knowledge about human papillomavirus (HPV) using item response theory and classical test theory. Prev Med. 2013;56(1):35-40.
• 23. Kanser Kontrol Sürekliliği | Kanser Kontrol ve Nüfus Bilimleri Bölümü (DCCPS) [Internet]. [cited 2025 Jan 5]. Available from: https://cancercontrol.cancer.gov/about-dccps/about-cc/cancer-control-continuum
• 24. Daley EM, Thompson EL, Vamos CA, et al. HPV-related knowledge among dentists and dental hygienists. J Cancer Educ. 2018;33(4):901-906.
• 25. Vázquez-Otero C, Vamos CA, Thompson EL, et al. Assessing dentists’ HPV-related health literacy for oropharyngeal cancer prevention. J Am Dent Assoc. 2017;149(1):9.
• 26. ADA Kütüphanesi | Amerikan Diş Hekimleri Birliği [Internet]. [cited 2025 Jan 19]. Available from: https://www.ada.org/resources/ada-library
• 27. Murariu A, Baciu ER, Bobu L, et al. Knowledge, practice, and awareness of oral cancer and HPV infection among dental students and residents: a cross-sectional study. Medicina. 2022;58(6):806. 28. Sallam M, Al-Fraihat E, Dababseh D, et al. Dental students’ awareness and attitudes toward HPV-related oral cancer: a cross-sectional study at the University of Jordan. BMC Oral Health. 2019;19(1):171. 29. Murariu A, Baciu ER, Bobu L, et al. Knowledge, practice, and awareness of oral cancer and HPV infection among dental students and residents: a cross-sectional study. Medicina (Kaunas). 2022;58(6):806.
• 30. Yemenoğlu-Recep H, Erdoğan T, Diş Ü, et al. Diş hekimliği öğrencilerinin Human Papilloma Virus hakkındaki bilgi düzeyinin değerlendirilmesi. Osmangazi Tıp Derg. 2020;42(5):96-102.
• 31. Farsi NJ, Al Sharif S, Al Qathmi M, Merdad M, Marzouki H, Merdad L. Knowledge of human papillomavirus (HPV) and oropharyngeal cancer and acceptability of the HPV vaccine among dental students. Asian Pac J Cancer Prev. 2020;21(12):3595.
• 32. Mann SK, Kingsley K. Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine knowledge, awareness and acceptance among dental students and post-graduate dental residents. Dent J (Basel). 2020;8(2).
• 33. Lorenzo-Pouso AI, Gándara-Vila P, Banga C, et al. Human papillomavirus-related oral cancer: knowledge and awareness among Spanish dental students. J Cancer Educ. 2019;34(4):782-788.