Factors associated with HPV-associated sexual risk behaviors among sexually active college students.

High-risk sexual behavior is the primary risk factor for the acquisition and persistence of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and the development of HPV-associated diseases including cancer. Incidence of HPV infection is high among individuals in their late teens and early 20s. Thus, college students represent a historically high-risk group for HPV infection yet are also a group with the ability to independently access HPV vaccination for HPV prevention. To inform future interventions, we examined factors associated with HPV-associated risky sexual behaviors among sexually active college students. Data (N = 741) were from an anonymous online survey distributed to students at a public Midwestern university in 2021. The outcomes were HPV-associated sexual risk behaviors-number of oral or vaginal sexual partners [high (≥ 5) or low (< 5)] and age of oral or vaginal sexual debut [early (< 18 years) or late (≥ 18 years)]. Multivariable logistic regression models estimated the association between HPV-associated risky sexual behaviors and several predictors including age, gender, relationship status, academic level, country of birth, and rural-urban status. Among sexually active students, approximately 47% and 41% had a high number of lifetime vaginal and oral partners, respectively. Among the same group, 60% and 64% had early vaginal and oral sexual debut. Students who were single and dating (aOR = 1.93; 95% CI = 1.21, 3.08) or single and not dating (2.11; 1.28, 3.48) were more likely to have a high number of vaginal lifetime partners compared with married students. Single (vs. married) students were also about twice as likely to have a high number of oral lifetime partners. Relative to graduate students, freshmen/sophomores were more likely to have an early vaginal (2.44; 1.45, 4.11) and oral (2.14; 1.26, 3.63) sexual debut. Interventions tailored to college freshmen/sophomores and unmarried students should encourage students to receive the HPV vaccine for prevention of future HPV-associated diseases.

College Students' Awareness of the Link Between Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and HPV-Associated Cancers.

We describe the level of awareness of the link between HPV and HPV-associated cancers and identify demographic and lifestyle factors associated with awareness. This was a cross-sectional study of college students (n = 862) at a public Midwestern university conducted between February and May 2021. The outcomes were student's awareness-accessed by asking students if they knew whether HPV was causally link with anal, cervical, vaginal, oropharyngeal, vulvar, and penile cancers. Logistic regression models estimated the association between sociodemographic and sexual behavior and awareness of the link between HPV and HPV-associated cancers. Approximately 70% were aware that HPV causes cervical, 53% were aware HPV causes vaginal, 40% were aware HPV causes vulvar cancers, 39% were aware HPV causes oropharyngeal, 38% were aware HPV causes penile, and 34% were aware HPV causes anal cancers. In multivariable analyses, men were less likely to be aware that HPV causes vaginal (aOR = 0.42, 95% CI 0.30-0.59) or vulvar cancers (aOR = 0.54, 95% CI 0.38-0.77) compared to women. Compared with sexually naïve students, those who had have oral and vaginal sex were more likely to be aware that HPV causes anal (aOR = 1.98, 95% CI 1.17-3.34), penile (aOR = 1.82, 95% CI 1.11-2.97), vaginal (aOR = 1.81, 95% CI 1.14-2.88), or vulvar (aOR = 2.05, 95% CI 1.24-3.40) cancers. Awareness of the link between HPV and HPV-associated cancers was low, except cervical. This underscores the need for more tailored interventions to increase knowledge about HPV and its association with cancer. Increasing students' levels of awareness may impact HPV vaccine uptake.

Association between Sexual Activity and Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine Initiation and Completion among College Students.

HPV vaccination is most effective if received before initiation of sexual activity. Previous studies suggested that young adult women who were not sexually active were not interested in receiving the vaccine because they did not think it was necessary. Whether this misperception is still prevalent today-and also shared by men-is unknown. This study examined whether sexual activity was associated with HPV vaccine uptake (initiation and completion) among university students. A cross-sectional study was conducted between February and May 2021 among students (n = 951) at a public Midwestern University. Sexual activity was categorized as "never" or "ever" had oral and/or vaginal sex. Outcome variables were HPV vaccine initiation, defined as receipt of ≥1 dose, and completion, defined as receipt of ≥3 doses. Multivariable logistic regression models estimated the association between sexual activity and HPV vaccine uptake, adjusting for sociodemographic factors. Approximately 18% of students reported never engaging in sexual activity. Overall, 45.5% initiated the HPV vaccine, and 16.5% completed the vaccine series. After adjusting for covariates, compared to students that reported never engaging in sexual activity, those that had ever engaged in sexual activity were more likely to have initiated the vaccine series (aOR = 2.06, 95% CI: 1.34-3.17); however, no difference was observed for completion. HPV vaccination was low; sexually naïve students were less likely to initiate the HPV vaccine. Since sexually naïve students may benefit from receiving the HPV vaccination, targeted interventions should be implemented towards this population to help increase vaccination rates and prevent HPV-associated diseases.

Dentigerous cyst in a young child: a case report.

Dentigerous cysts are one of the most common developmental types of odontogenic cysts occurring in the oral cavity and often manifest as incidental findings on dental radiographs and/or as asymptomatic swellings. These cysts develop from remnants of reduced enamel epithelium around the crown of an unerupted or impacted tooth, attached at the level of the cementoenamel junction. Most are considered developmental. However, in young clients they may be inflammatory in origin, the result of caries in the primary dentition. This short communication highlights a case of an asymptomatic dentigerous cyst identified in a 4-year-old child and subsequent enucleation under general anesthesia. A thorough clinical and radiographic assessment of the oral cavity in pediatric clients merits a review of dentigerous cysts by the dental hygienist.

Les kystes dentigères sont parmi les types développementaux de kystes odontogènes les plus courants qui apparaissent dans la cavité buccale et se manifestent souvent comme des découvertes imprévues sur les radiographies dentaires ou comme des enflures asymptomatiques. Ces kystes se développent à partir de restes d'épithélium d'émail réduit autour de la couronne d'une dent incluse ou enclavée, attachés au niveau de la jonction cémento-émail. La plupart des kystes sont considérés comme développementaux. Cependant, chez les jeunes clients, ils peuvent être d'origine inflammatoire, la conséquence de caries dans la dentition primaire. Cette brève communication souligne un cas de kyste dentigère asymptomatique décelé chez un enfant de 4 ans et une énucléation subséquente sous anesthésie générale. Une évaluation clinique et radiographique approfondie de la cavité buccale des clients pédiatriques justifie que l'hygiéniste dentaire se renseigne sur les kystes dentigères.