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

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 (HBMSHPVV)’ 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<0.001), those with fewer years in the job (p=0.025) and physicians (p=0.002) had HPV vaccine more. HPV-KS total score (p<0.001), HBMS-HPVV benefits score (p<0.001), and HBMS-HPVV susceptibility score (p<0.001) are higher, and barriers score (p=0.027) is lower in those who had the HPV vaccine. Conclusion: Consequently, the knowledge about HPV and its vaccination was found to be sufficient in our study. It has been shown that the perception of benefit, severity and susceptibility is high, and the perception of barriers is moderate. Despite this, vaccine coverage is relatively low in this study group. The vaccine cost and the concerns about the effectiveness of the vaccine appear as important barriers.