HPV Workshop for Underserved High School Students

The increasing incidence of human papillomavirus (HPV)-related oropharyngeal cancer and the lag in vaccination rates demonstrate the necessity of interventions that focus on HPV education. Disparities in HPV vaccination rates and vaccine series completion are interrelated and persist across racial and socioeconomic lines. Early education regarding HPV serves as an opportunity to increase adolescent vaccination rates. High school students from educationally disadvantaged and underserved areas, who have historically had limited representation in higher academia, participated in an interactive HPV workshop led by otolaryngology residents and research fellows. The lectures detailed HPV transmission, diseases, and vaccination, focusing on the role of HPV in oropharyngeal cancer. Surveys were administered to students before and two weeks after the workshop to assess impact. Sixty-seven students completed the workshop (53.8% female, 41.5% male, 4.6% nonbinary/not disclosed), with a pre-survey response rate of 100% and a post-survey response rate of 89.5%. Seven participants received the HPV vaccine between surveys. Post-intervention, 93.3% of participants gained new knowledge that HPV causes oropharyngeal cancer (15.7% increase from pre-survey, p = 0.0058), while 96.7% learned the vaccine protected against nine strains of HPV (14.7% increase from pre-survey, p = 0.0058). Participants reported an increased likelihood to recommend the HPV vaccine, greater confidence in discussing it, and stronger support for vaccination upon school entry (all p < 0.001). Interactive HPV workshops for underserved high school students increased knowledge regarding HPV and oropharyngeal cancer and led to higher vaccination rates among attendees in our cohort.