Zeitschrift für Frauengesundheit
Offener Zugang

Abstrakt

The Perceived Role of Physicians with Regard to the Human Papillomavirus Vaccine

K Al Wadi, V Poliquin, G Poliquin, R Lotocki and L Avery

Pediatricians, obstetrician-gynecologists, and family practitioners were surveyed about knowledge, attitudes and practice patterns regarding the Human Papillomavirus vaccine in the context of the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) recommendation for immunizing girls aged 9 to 13 years and the initiation of school-based HPV vaccination program in the province of Manitoba. Knowledge scores were highest amongst obstetrician-gynecologists and female physicians. Pediatricians were more likely to recommend the vaccine to all eligible patients and were more likely to attempt to persuade those reluctant to be vaccinated. Female physicians were more likely to educate routinely about the HPV vaccine. Better knowledge about HPV is associated with increased likelihood to educate routinely about the vaccine, but counseling for vaccination in general is likely a knowledge gap for non-pediatricians.