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

Muhammad Ehsanul Hoque

doi:10.4314/ahs.v16i2.26

Abstract

In South Africa, HPV vaccination programme has been incorporated recently in the school health system. Since doctors are the most trusted people regarding health issues in general, their knowledge and attitudes regarding HPV infections and vaccination are very important for HPV vaccine program nationally. The objective of this study was to investigate factors contributing to recommendation of HPV vaccines to the patients. This was a quantitative cross-sectional study conducted among 320 doctors, using a self-administered anonymous questionnaire. All the doctors were aware of HPV and knew that HPV is transmitted sexually. Their overall level of knowledge regarding HPV infections and HPV vaccine was poor. But the majority intended to prescribe the vaccine to their patients. It was found that doctors who knew that HPV 6 and 11 are responsible for >90% of anogenital warts, their patients would comply with the counselling regarding HPV vaccination, and received sufficient information about HPV vaccination were 5.68, 4.91 and 4.46 times respectively more likely to recommend HPV vaccination to their patients, compared to their counterparts (p<0.05). There was a knowledge gap regarding HPV infection and HPV vaccine among the doctors.

Highlights

Cervical cancer is a serious public health problem among women of reproductive age – even though it is preventable
With regards to doctors’ knowledge about Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection and HPV vaccine, all the doctors were aware of HPV and they knew that HPV was transmitted sexually as well as HPV infection is the main cause for cervical cancer
None of the doctors knew that a regular Pap test with a frequency of ≤3 years reduces the risk of cervical cancer between 71% and 90% and between 60% to 80% cervical cancer is caused by HPV-16 and -18

Summary

Introduction

Cervical cancer is a serious public health problem among women of reproductive age – even though it is preventable It is the fourth most common cancer, and approximately 530,000 new cases and 275,000 deaths occur every year worldwide. It is known that cervical cancer is caused by persistent Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection. HPV 6 and 11 causes 90% of genital warts and are known as low-risk HPV.[2] At any given time in South Africa, about 3.2% of women in the general population are harbouring HPV-16 or 18 infection, and about 64% of invasive cervical cancers are attributed to HPV types 16 or 18.2. Results: All the doctors were aware of HPV and knew that HPV is transmitted sexually Their overall level of knowledge regarding HPV infections and HPV vaccine was poor.

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Discussion

Conclusion