HPV Knowledge Retention and Concurrent Increase in Vaccination Rates 1.5 Years After a Novel HPV Workshop in Medical School

Abstract

Comprehensive education regarding human papillomavirus (HPV) pathogenesis, vaccination, and patient counseling are not routinely included in the medical school curriculum; consequently, student and provider knowledge, especially concerning head and neck pathology, remains low. The objective of this study was to demonstrate long-term retention of HPV knowledge and positive attitudes towards HPV vaccination after attending our novel HPV workshop, with a focus on knowledge of oropharyngeal cancer. A follow-up survey was administered to medical students 1.5 years after the initial completion of the workshop. HPV vaccination records from the student-led clinic were collected from the immunization information system. Awareness that HPV causes oropharyngeal cancer was present in 33% of medical students pre-curriculum; immediate and long-term post-curricular awareness of this association remained at 90% or higher (p < 0.0001). Comfort with HPV counseling, having enough information to recommend the vaccine, and knowledge of HPV malignancies, symptoms, transmission, and vaccination schedule remained persistently elevated over pre-curriculum scores (p < 0.05). Long-term knowledge scores were also higher than a control group of medical students at the same stage of training who had never participated in the workshop (p < 0.05). HPV vaccination rates at the medical school's student-run clinic also increased after the curriculum, from an average of 1.89 HPV vaccines given per clinic to 3.55 (p = 0.001). This study demonstrates that knowledge and positive attitudes were maintained 1.5 years after participating in this HPV curriculum during students' preclinical years of medical school. Additionally, an increase in HPV vaccination rates occurred at a student-led clinic, indicating a positive clinical impact on the curriculum.

Keywords: Curriculum; Human papillomavirus; Students, medical.