Awareness and Attitude Relating to the Human Papilloma Virus and its Vaccines Among Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynecology Specialists in Turkey

Abstract

Background: To determine the level of knowledge on human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and vaccination, and the attitude towards HPV vaccination in pediatricians, obstetricians and gynecologists (OBG). Materials and Methods: Participants were administered a 40-question survey, investigating the demographic properties, the knowledge on the HPV infection-vaccination and attitudes towards vaccination. Results: The study enrolled a total of 228 participants (131 pediatricians and 97 OBGs). At a rate of 99.6%, the participants agreed with the fact that the HPV infection was the most common sexually transmitted disease and 33.8% of the participants had the opinion that the HPV vaccination should be administered only in women. The lowest level of HPV vaccine recommendation was among the pediatrics specialists (59.4%, p=0.012). When asked whether they would have their daughters receive HPV vaccination, 79.5% of the participants answered favorably; this rate was 36.7% for the sons. At a rate of 59.5% of the participants thought that the HPV vaccine needed to be included in the national vaccine schedule. Most of the participants (91.6%) had the idea that reduction of the vaccine costs would increase the vaccination frequency. Conclusions: We observed that the consideration of the costs and the prejudices relating to the inefficacy of vaccination as well as the inadequate level of knowledge were involved in the physicians' resistance to HPV vaccination. We believe that the healthcare professionals should be informed adequately to overcome false beliefs, thereby ensuring success of the HPV vaccine upon inclusion in the national vaccine schedule in the future.

Factors influencing the recommendation of the Human Papillomavirus vaccine by South African doctors working in a tertiary hospital

“…32 Investigations of the awareness and attitudes about the HPV vaccines among pediatricians, obstetricians and gynecologists in Turkey, showed that HPV vaccines were recommended by 59.4%, 82.6%, 66.7% and 80.6% of pediatricians, OBG specialists, OBG residents and pediatric residents, respectively. 33 High acceptability of the HPV vaccine was found among French general practitioners and the acceptability rate increased from 79.9% to 87.1% between the years 2007 and 2010. 34 Other studies have also reported similar findings among health-care workers.…”

Awareness and Attitude of Family Physicians About Human Papilloma Virus and Herpes Zoster Vaccines

“…Aşı-nın pahalı olması, yalnızca ülkemizde değil, dünyada yapılan birçok çalışmada da aşının uygulanmasındaki temel engeldir (19,22,30). 2007'den bu yana 11 yaşındaki kız çocukları için ücretsiz HPV aşılaması yapılan İtalya'da, aşılanma oranı 2012 yılında %69'a ulaşmıştır (31).…”

“…Hekimin aşıyı önermesinde aşıya ait faktörler kadar, için-de bulunulan toplumun cinsel yolla bulaşan hastalıklar konusundaki algısı, etnik köken, dini inanç, ailenin sosyokültürel düzeyi gibi birçok faktör de etkili olmaktadır (22,30). Kimi aileler kızlarının cinsel olarak aktif olduğunu/olabileceğini kabul etmemekte ve aşıyı yaptırmanın cinsel ilişkide bulunmalarına izin verilmesi anlamına geleceğini düşünmektedir (21).…”

“…Türkiye'de pediyatrlar ve jinekologlarla yapılan çalışmada, aşının önerilmemesinde, aşının potansiyel yan etkileri, çalışmamızla benzer oranda (%11.3) etkili bulunmuştur (30). Hem ülkemizde hem dünyada, aşının etkililiği ve güven-liği konusunda hekimler uzun dönemli çalışmalara ve daha fazla kanıta gereksinim duymaktadır.…”

“…Örneğin ABD'de yapılan çalışmada aile hekimlerinin %83.4'ü erkek aşılamasını desteklediği halde, %92.6'sı aşıyı hastalarına hiç önermemiştir (32). Ülkemizde yapılan farklı çalışmalara göre, hekimlerin %10-15'i erkek hastalara da HPV aşısının (29,30). Çalışmamızda ise aile hekimlerinin %16.6'sı erkek hastalarına da HPV aşısını önerdi-ğini belirtmiştir.…”