Pediatrician knowledge and attitudes regarding human papillomavirus disease and its prevention.
Between 1 September and 8 October 2006, we used a self-administered, anonymous questionnaire in order to evaluate knowledge and attitudes regarding HPV disease and its prevention in a nationally representative sample of Italian pediatricians. Three hundred and eleven of the 400 enrolled physicians (175 primary care pediatricians, 160 hospital pediatricians and 65 residents in pediatrics) returned completed surveys (227 females; mean age+/-standard deviation, 45.3+/-11.61 years). The results showed a lack of knowledge concerning HPV disease and its prevention, with marginal differences between the subgroups, even though the majority would recommend HPV vaccination. These findings highlight an urgent need to improve pediatrician information in order to ensure the optimal implementation of HPV vaccination, and the adequate acceptability of HPV vaccines to adolescents and their parents.
Institute of Pediatrics, University of Milan, Fondazione IRCCS "Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Mangiagalli e Regina Elena", Via Commenda 9, 20122 Milan, Italy.
Susanna
S
Esposito
Samantha
S
Bosis
Claudio
C
Pelucchi
Enrica
E
Begliatti
Alessandro
A
Rognoni
Marta
M
Bellasio
Francesca
F
Tel
Silvia
S
Consolo
Nicola
N
Principi
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003625:Data Collection; D003657:Decision Making; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D053918:Papillomavirus Vaccines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010290:Parents; D010372:Pediatrics; D010820:Physicians; D012067:Religion; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control
D053918:Papillomavirus Vaccines