Awareness of human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccine female doctors working in tertiary care centres.

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of the study is to assess the awareness about various aspects of HPV infection and vaccine among female doctors working in tertiary care centres. Study Design: Cross Sectional study. Setting: 3 Tertiary Care Hospitals Lahore. Period: Jan 2018 Jan 2019. Material & Methods: 478 female doctors from 03 tertiary care hospitals (Lady Atchison hospital, Lahore General Hospital and Services Institute of Medical Sciences) in Lahore who voluntarily filled 18-point self-administered questionnaire assessing their knowledge about HPV infection (8) HPV vaccine (5) and opinions about it (5). Knowledge score (range 0-8), assuming adequate knowledge > median. Factors associated with opinions were explored and analysed. Results: Most replied knowledge questions correctly 67.2%, 39.5% perceived it as frequently occurring infection. Median knowledge was 6 out of 8 questions; lack of knowledge was associated with non ob-gynae speciality or junior level. None of the participants were immunized but 46.3% were willing to get vaccinated themselves 78.1% were willing to get their daughters vaccinated. Self-perceived under exposure of HPV infection was 67.9%. Lack of feeling it as important in our social setting (28.6%), and expensiveness (19.4%) were most common causes of not counselling the patient about HPV vaccine and counselling to get vaccinated was most commonly done as it saves patients from cervical cancer (86.8%). Conclusions: Despite adequate knowledge of HPV infection and effectiveness of its vaccination, female doctors working in tertiary care hospitals of Lahore’s are not efficiently spreading awareness to the society and prescription of the vaccination is also deficient.