Date of Conferral

2019

Degree

Doctor of Healthcare Administration, DHA

School

Health Services

Advisor

Cheryl L. Anderson

Abstract

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a sexually transmitted infection contributing to 70% of oropharyngeal cancers in the United States. The incidence of HPV-related oropharyngeal cancers is greater in Kentucky's population than in any other state. Research has demonstrated the cost of treating oropharyngeal cancer on a national level, but little information exists as to state-specific costs. The purpose of this quantitative study was to examine radiation therapy costs for treating HPV-related oropharyngeal cancer in Kentucky in relation to age, gender, race, and insurance. A theory by Aday and Andersen was applied to explain the relationship between the independent and dependent variables. Cluster sampling was used to randomly select 130 de-identified men and women age 40-65 years who had been diagnosed with oropharyngeal cancer. The data were collected from an existing database. The study used descriptive analysis with correlational, longitudinal data to examine the relationship of categorical and continuous variables. The mean cost for radiation therapy treatment was $123,629.14 (SD= $58,697.36). The multiple regression indicated that the null hypothesis was accepted showing that the independent variables were not statistically significant predictors of the z Score of Cost Difference [F (4,122) = 0.972, p = 0.425]. The results showed no significant independent predictor variables (p > 0.05); gender [t (127) = -0.943, p = 0.348], race [t (127) = 1.378, p = 0.171], insurance type [t (127) = -1.512, p = 0.133], and age group [t (127) = -0.230, p = 0.818]). The results may contribute to positive social change in the development of cancer prevention strategies and policies.

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