mHealth interventions to improve public knowledge of HPV-associated oropharyngeal cancer in the UK

Abstract

In the United Kingdom (UK), the current prevalence rates of oropharyngeal cancer linked to human papillomavirus (HPV) are 6.29% and 2.04% in men and women, respectively. Over the years, the burden of this disease has increased in the UK, and this is mainly due to the rising prevalence of HPV infection in the UK. Research evidence has shown that over 70% of oropharyngeal cancers in the UK are linked to HPV. Oral sex is the major route of transmission of HPV, and over 63% of UK young adults are found to have a positive history of oral sex practice. However, only a minority of the UK population are aware of HPV-associated oropharyngeal cancer; this therefore calls for more public health efforts to increase awareness and knowledge on HPV-associated oropharyngeal cancer in the UK. While the use of technology-based, clinic-based, and community-based interventions have been employed to improve public awareness and knowledge on the role of HPV-associated oropharyngeal cancer, mobile health (mhealth) interventions have not been seriously explored despite existing robust evidence on the effective roles of mhealth in improving awareness and knowledge in diverse diseases. This article therefore calls for the adoption and use of mhealth interventions in educating the UK’s population on HPV-associated oropharyngeal cancer. The use of mhealth interventions in this regard is highly viable as its implementation closely aligns with the country’s National Health Service (NHS) commitment towards the digital transformation of the UK’s healthcare system.

Keywords

Human papillomavirus / HPV / oropharyngeal cancer / mhealth / education / UK

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