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

Authors : Neşe YAKŞİ, Berkhan TOPAKTAŞ

Pages : 183-189

Doi:10.31067/acusaglik.1240702

View : 29 | Download : 11

Publication Date : 2023-03-17

Article Type : Research Paper

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 insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(HPV-KS);\`, \`Health Belief Model Scale for Human Papilloma Virus insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(HPV); and Its Vaccination insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(HBMS-HPVV);\` were applied online. Results: 254 female insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(74.9%); and 85 male insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(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 insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(57%);, social media/TV/Websites insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(24.4%);, and other health workers insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(23.7%);. Twenty-six participants insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(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 insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(p=0.016);, HPV positive results insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(p=0.033); and pathological cervical cancer screening results insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(p=0.004);, those having 1st-degree relatives or close friends who had HPV vaccine insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(p<0.001);, those with fewer years in the job insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(p=0.025); and physicians insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(p=0.002); had HPV vaccine more. HPV-KS total score insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(p<0.001);, HBMS-HPVV benefits score insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(p<0.001);, and HBMS-HPVV susceptibility score insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(p<0.001); are higher, and barriers score insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(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.
Keywords : HPV vaccine, health belief model, healthcare worker, Turkey