Do Health-Seeking Populations Know the Link Between Human Papillomavirus and Oropharyngeal Cancer? A Cross-Sectional Study in a Nigerian Population

Background The human papillomavirus (HPV) has been causally linked to oropharyngeal cancers. The extent to which the population is aware of this link has not been explored in Nigeria. We aim to investigate the knowledge of the link between HPV and oropharyngeal cancers in a health-seeking population in Nigeria. Methodology: We used a cross-sectional study design, with a multi-stage sampling method comprising a cluster of four health facilities and first-time adult patients attending the general outpatient clinics of the selected health facilities. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was be used to obtain demographic information, social history, HPV awareness, HPV vaccination and the link between HPV and oropharyngeal cancer. Results A total of 1,000 respondents completed the survey from four health facilities in Lagos, Nigeria. Majority of respondents were below 40 years (61.5%), and female (53.4%). About 13.4% of the study population were aware of HPV, and 7.9% of HPV vaccines. The most common source of HPV information for respondents who were aware of HPV was the internet (65.4%). Only 7.7% of respondents knew the link between HPV and oropharyngeal cancer. Significant predictors of knowledge of the link between HPV and oropharyngeal cancer were higher education [ p: 0.012], higher overall knowledge of HPV risk factors and complications [ p: 0.000]; and awareness of HPV vaccine [ p: 0.020]. Conclusions Our findings suggest a lack of public knowledge of the link between HPV and oropharyngeal cancer. These findings could inform health promotion measures for oropharyngeal cancer, particularly for groups where knowledge is lowest.