HPV
Conditions
Brief summary
This project involves the research into understanding the functioning of co-located/partnering dental practices and federally qualified health centers/community health clinics in North Carolina and how dental health providers may play a role in facilitating HPV vaccination uptake for under-vaccinated populations in these co-located/partnering sites.
Detailed description
Objective 1): To assess HPV-related Oropharyngeal Cancer (OPC) knowledge, perceptions, practices and barriers of general dentists and dental hygienists in North Carolina (NC). Objective 2): To understand key infrastructure elements and policies, as well as HPV prevention strategies in place at East Carolina University School of Dental Medicine Community Service-Learning Centers (CSLCs) and their partnering Community Health Clinics/Federally Qualified Health Clinics (FQHCs). Objective 3): Develop and assess the feasibility of a model for collaborative and effective HPV prevention strategies between dental practices (CSLCs) and co-located Community Health Clinics (FQHCs). Hypotheses: H1. It is hypothesized that HPV OPC knowledge, perceptions, and practices will be informed by level of HPV health literacy; where higher levels of HPV health literacy will correlate with higher levels of HPV prevention practices (i.e., oral cancer screening, education on HPV risk behaviors, HPV vaccine recommendation). The investigators expect to find gaps in one or more of the surveyed areas (knowledge, attitudes, societal norms, perceived behavior control, and current prevention practices) among dentists and dental hygienists. Last, the investigators expect to find barriers to HPV prevention practices among our sample. H2: It is hypothesized that there will be key infrastructure elements and policies identified through interviews that will both inhibit and facilitate the navigation of patients for HPV vaccination between dental clinics (CSLCs) and partnering health clinics (community clinics/FQHCs). The investigators also expect to find a variation of HPV prevention strategies currently being employed at CSLCs and partnering community clinic/FQHCs. H3: It is hypothesized that the investigators will employ the data identified in Objectives 1 and 2 to develop a feasible model for collaborative and effective HPV prevention between dental clinics (CSLCs) and health clinics (FQHCs). Specifically, the investigators will address barriers identified in Objective 2 and capitalize on the facilitators identified to develop a model of HPV prevention care and navigation between dental clinics (CSLCs) and health clinics (FQHCs). This model can then be evaluated for effectiveness and serve as a model for replication in other rural and under-resourced settings.
Interventions
OTHERSocial Behavioral surveys, interviews, and focus groups
Surveys with dentists/hygienists, interviews/focus groups with service learning center directors and key staff at federally qualified health centers.
Sponsors
East Carolina University
Study design
Observational model
COHORT
Time perspective
CROSS_SECTIONAL
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 100 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* licensed and active dentists and hygienists in NC * Directors/administrators of the identified CSLCs (n=8) and partnering FQHCs/Community clinics (n=8)
Exclusion criteria
\-
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Quantitative measurements of the following variables: HPV-related Oropharyngeal Cancer knowledge, perceptions, practices and barriers as measured by a dental questionnaire to be developed by study team | Year 1 | HPV-related Oropharyngeal Cancer (OPC) knowledge, perceptions, practices and barriers of general dentists and dental hygienists in North Carolina. The dental questionnaire will be developed by study investigators and will use validated survey items, and will be piloted, and tested for readability, reliability, and validity by the research team. Use of the survey is a quantitative technique; the resulting validated data of the dental questionnaire suggests predictable outcomes. |
| Qualitative open ended statements will be assessed through qualitative interviews and focus groups which will generate a list of key infrastructure elements and policies, and HPV prevention strategies | Year 2 | Through qualitative assessments of interviews and focus groups with East Carolina University School of Dental Medicine Community Service-Learning Centers and their partnering community clinic/FQHCs, study investigators will develop a list of key infrastructure elements and policies, as well as HPV prevention strategies in place at East Carolina University School of Dental Medicine Community Service-Learning Centers and their partnering Community Health Clinics/Federally Qualified Health Clinics. Use of qualitative assessments with comparative reviews of EMR data suggests a validation schema to predict infrastructure needs and outcomes. |
| Study investigators will also conduct a review of the Electronic Medical Records of both dental and partnering medical clinic to assess how HPV-related screenings, vaccinations, and malignancies are reported | Year 2 | Study investigators will also conduct a review of the Electronic Medical Records of both dental and partnering medical clinic to assess how HPV-related screenings, vaccinations, and malignancies are reported |
Countries
United States
Contacts
Primary ContactAlice Richman, PhD
Outcome results
None listed