Knowledge Beliefs and Barriers of Healthcare Workers about Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) and HPV Vaccination

Abstract

Background/Purpose: HPV vaccine is critical in the primary prevention of HPV infection and related diseases. HPV vaccination alone reduces HPV infection by 70% and cervical cancer by 48%. Healthcare workers are expected to have sufficient knowledge and positive attitudes and behaviours about the HPV vaccine. This study aimed to determine the knowledge level of healthcare workers about HPV and HPV vaccination and their beliefs and barriers towards HPV vaccination. 
 Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 339 healthcare workers were reached by snowball sampling. Sociodemographic form, 'Human Papilloma Virus Knowledge Scale (HPV-KS)', 'Health Belief Model Scale for Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) and Its Vaccination (HBMS-HPVV)' were applied online. 
 Results: 254 female (74.9%) and 85 male (25.1%) healthcare workers participated in this study, and 60.5% of the participants were physicians. 94.4% of participants have heard of the HPV vaccine. The most frequently consulted information sources are specialist physicians (57%), social media/TV/Websites (24.4%), and other health workers (23.7%). Twenty-six participants (7.7%) have had at least one dose of the HPV vaccine, and 58% completed three doses. 6.7% of the participants having daughters, and 0.7% of those having sons vaccinated their children against HPV. Women who have had HPV screening (p=0.016), HPV positive results (p=0.033) and pathological cervical cancer screening results (p=0.004), those having 1st-degree relatives or close friends who had HPV vaccine (p

Knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours of primary health care workers regarding HPV infection and prevention: an example from Türkiye

“…16 In recent studies with HCWs, most of whom were physicians, the rates of those who had heard of the HPV vaccine were 87.2% and 94.4%, respectively. 17,18 The reason why these rates were found to be higher may be the high number of physicians in these studies. In fact, as in the current study, it has been reported that the level of HPV knowledge of physicians is higher than that of other HCWs.…”

“…19 Similar to our study, some studies reported that the most frequently referenced source of information about HPV vaccines was professional resources (courses/congresses, scientific literature, expert physician opinions, etc.). 17,19 It has also been determined that the knowledge level of HPV and HPV vaccines is higher among those who use professional sources as information sources. 19 Although we did not find any statistical significance, this was also true in the current study.…”

“…In one study, as we found in the current study, the most common reason why HCWs had not received HPV vaccine and had not recommended the vaccine until now was the lack of knowledge about the vaccine. 17 Believing that the HPV vaccine is unnecessary, thinking that it is expensive, having insufficient knowledge about the vaccine, thinking that it may have side effects, and not trusting the vaccine have been shown as reasons for hesitation by HCWs. 21 The second most common reason why the vaccine was not recommended in the current study was that it was expensive and was not covered by the government.…”