Family physicians’ knowledge and attitudes about human papillomavirus vaccine

Özet

Amaç: Bu çalışmadaki amacımız, aile hekimlerinin Human papillomavirus (HPV) aşısı hakkındaki farkındalık, bilgi ve tutumlarını değerlendirmekti. Gereç ve Yöntem: Farklı aile sağlığı merkezlerinde çalışan 53 aile hekimi çalışmaya dahil edildi. Sosyo-ekonomik demografik özellikleri, HPV aşısı ile ilgili farkındalık, bilgi ve tutumlarla ilgili soruları içeren bir anket, yüz yüze görüşülerek dolduruldu ve olasılık değeri (p)

Abstract

Aim: In this study, our aim was to evaluate family physicians’ awareness, knowledge and attitudes about the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine. Material and Method: Fifty-three family physicians working in different family health care centres were included. A questionnaire including their socio-demographic characteristics, awareness, knowledge and attitudes was administered via the face-to-face conversation method. A probability value of p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Only 41 (77.4%) of the family physicians were aware of the HPV vaccine, and 32 (60.4%) had insufficient knowledge about it. Female family physicians’ knowledge was significantly higher than that of their male counterparts (p = 0.028). The predominant source of information about the HPV vaccine in the study group was the media (83.0%). Whereas 26 (49.2%) of the family physicians had no consent for the vaccine because of insufficient knowledge and confidence, the remaining 27 (50.9%) were in favour of it for themselves and their partners and children. Only 33 (62.3%) of the family physicians recommended the vaccine for patients attending the family health centres. Discussion: In conclusion, because recent studies have shown the preventive effect of the HPV vaccine on precancerous cervical lesions, informing family physicians of the vaccine may lead to an increase of people willing to receive a vaccination.