Factors Associated with Physicians’ Knowledge and Recommendation Practices Regarding the Human Papillomavirus Vaccine: A Cross-Sectional Study in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
TL;DR
Evaluating physicians’ knowledge of HPV and the HPV vaccine and assessing their recommendation practices across clinical specialties in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia highlights the need for targeted, specialty-specific interventions to improve HPV vaccination uptake in Saudi Arabia.
Abstract
Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a major cause of cervical cancer, a largely preventable disease through vaccination. Despite the integration of the HPV vaccine into the Saudi National Immunization Schedule, uptake remains low, with vaccine hesitancy and provider-related factors contributing to suboptimal coverage. Physicians play a critical role in shaping vaccination decisions; however, evidence comparing HPV-related knowledge and practice recommendations across medical specialties in Saudi Arabia remains limited. This study aimed to evaluate physicians’ knowledge of HPV and the HPV vaccine and assess their recommendation practices across clinical specialties in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among physicians in the First and Second Health Clusters in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, between December 2025 and March 2026 using a multistage sampling technique. Data were collected through a validated self-administered questionnaire. Knowledge was assessed using a 16-item scale, and recommendation behavior was dichotomized. Descriptive statistics, non-parametric tests, and multivariable regression analyses were performed. Results: A total of 165 physicians were included. Awareness of the importance of HPV vaccination was high (95.2%). The median knowledge score was 68.75% (IQR: 25.00), with significant variation by age and specialty (p < 0.001). Pediatricians had significantly lower knowledge scores compared to family medicine physicians (β = -11.33, p = 0.034). Overall, 55.2% reported routinely recommending HPV vaccination. Knowledge was a significant predictor of recommendation behavior (OR = 1.05, 95% CI: 1.02–1.07, p < 0.001). Pediatricians were less likely to recommend vaccination (OR = 0.20, p = 0.012). Conclusion: These findings highlight a gap between knowledge and practice and emphasize the need for targeted, specialty-specific interventions to improve HPV vaccination uptake in Saudi Arabia.