KNOWLEDGE OF CERVICAL CANCER AND HPV, ATTITUDES TOWARD HPV VACCINATION, AND RECOMMENDATION PRACTICES AMONG PRIMARY HEALTHCARE WORKERS: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Objective

Cervical cancer (CC) is largely preventable through screening and human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination; successful prevention depends on effective implementation of these interventions in primary care. We evaluated primary healthcare workers’ knowledge, awareness, attitudes, and self-reported behaviors regarding CC, HPV, and HPV vaccination.MATERIAL AND

Methods

In this cross-sectional study, data were collected using face-to-face questionnaires from 305 healthcare workers at Family Health Centers and Community Health Centers in Afyonkarahisar, Türkiye, between February 15 and June 15, 2023. Analyses were performed using IBM SPSS Statistics 26.0. Categorical variables were compared using chi-square or Fisher’s exact tests. Multivariable logistic regression assessed factors associated with HPV vaccine recommendation and willingness to vaccinate one’s child. Statistical significance was defined as p<0.05.

Results

Although 86.2% stated that CC is preventable, only 45.2% identified HPV infection as the most important risk factor. Awareness that HPV can cause CC (92.8%) and is sexually transmitted (97.4%) was high, whereas knowledge of its natural course was limited. Self-reported personal vaccination rates were low (bivalent 3.3%; quadrivalent 10.8%). Overall, 65.2% (n=199) recommended HPV vaccination to patients, 79.3% (n=242) were willing to vaccinate their child, and 66.9% (n=204) reported having knowledge of HPV vaccines. Compared with other healthcare workers, physicians had higher odds of recommending vaccination (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 3.20, 95% CI 1.63–6.29). Education on CC, its treatment, and screening during professional training was associated with higher adjusted odds of recommending vaccination (aOR 3.60, 95% CI 2.11–6.13) and willingness to vaccinate one’s child (aOR 3.11, 95% CI 1.71–5.65).

Conclusions

Primary healthcare workers showed item-specific gaps in knowledge of CC, HPV, and HPV vaccination, alongside low self-reported personal vaccination rates. Strengthening structured education in primary care may support HPV vaccine counseling and recommendation practices.