Attitudes and practices of Florida nurse practitioners on oral cancer prevention and early detection.
BACKGROUND
Oral cancer continues to have a relatively low survival rate because most tumors are diagnosed at late stages. Nurse practitioners may be optimally positioned for oral cancer prevention and early detection.


METHODS
A statewide mail-based survey was conducted among 448 Florida nurse practitioners. Logistic regression was conducted to assess the independent relationships between nurse practitioners' attitudes and their practices in oral cancer prevention and early detection.


RESULTS
Nurse practitioners' oral cancer practice behaviors were significantly affected by their attitudes.


CONCLUSIONS
Effective strategies should be implemented to enhance positive attitudes about oral cancer early detection among Florida nurse practitioners.
Meng
Xiaoxian
X
Department of Dentistry & Behavioral Science, University of Florida College of Dentistry, 1329 SW 16th Street, PO Box 103628, Gainesville, FL 32610-3620, USA.
Tomar
Scott L
SL
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005431:Florida; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015233:Models, Statistical; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000451:nursing / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009722:Nurse Practitioners / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors