HPV-Related Oral Lesions: YouTube Videos Suitability for Preventive Interventions including Mass-Reach Health Communication and Promotion of HPV Vaccination

Abstract

Given the need to improve patient knowledge about HPV-related oral lesions, awareness of HPV infection prevention measures, and compliance with vaccination, as well as patient demand for free and easy access to well-tailored and time-saving health information, the present cross-sectional study examined the accuracy of relevant YouTube videos and their suitability for mass-reach health communication and HPV vaccination promotion. A video search was performed, using keywords obtained from the Google Trends website, until 9 January 2023. Video selection and data collection were performed by independent, pre-calibrated examiners. Descriptive statistics were performed on videos’ general characteristics, source reliability, popularity, information and quality, content topics, vaccination-encouraging/discouraging messages, and educational value. Pearson’s correlation was calculated between educational value and all parameters. Mann–Whitney U test compared very low/low vs. medium/good/excellent educational value and HPV vaccination-encouraging vs. -discouraging videos. Most of the 97 YouTube videos analyzed were moderately accurate and reliable, 53% had moderate/good/excellent educational value, and 80% encouraged HPV vaccination, making them suitable for mass-reach communication. The limited role of oral healthcare providers in uploading relevant content, with the poor dissemination of information about HPV-related benign and malignant oral lesions, may be expanded by purposefully using YouTube and other mass media to improve patient knowledge of HPV-related oral lesions and promote HPV vaccination, which also underscores its potential beneficial oral effects.

Perceived Orthodontic Needs and Attitudes towards Early Evaluation and Interventions: A Survey-Based Study among Parents of Italian School-Aged Children

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Oral Bacteria, Virus and Fungi in Saliva and Tissue Samples from Adult Subjects with Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma: An Umbrella Review

“…More data are available on reducing cervical cancer incidence in vaccinated women aged 16-19 years, for whom a 68-86% reduction in incidence has been reported [110]. In light of this, oral healthcare providers, who often intercept benign and malignant HPV-related oral lesions [24], play a key role in encouraging children aged 9-12 years, who benefit from the highest vaccine efficacy [111,112], and their caregivers to receive HPV vaccination [112].…”

Reliability and Accuracy of YouTube Peri-Implantitis Videos as an Educational Source for Patients in Population-Based Prevention Strategies

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