Physician knowledge and opinions about sexually transmitted infections and the human papillomavirus vaccine: a community based survey.
BACKGROUND
The new Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is targeted to pre-adolescents; therefore pediatric providers will be its most frequent supplier.


METHODS
A survey focusing on physician knowledge and opinions about sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and the HPV vaccine was distributed to pediatric providers in Chattanooga, TN.


RESULTS
Response rate of 171 distributed surveys was 59 percent. Most doctors rated their STI knowledge base as adequate (93 percent), felt comfortable counseling on STIs (80 percent), and felt comfortable counseling about the vaccine and administering it (78 percent). Most also felt the vaccine should be incorporated into the current pediatric vaccination schedule (63 percent) eventually for males and (females (63 percent), aged 10-14 years (54 percent). While four percent of respondents felt this vaccine might promote a false sense of security against STIs, none felt it would promote promiscuity.


CONCLUSIONS
Most surveyed providers feel comfortable counseling their patients about STIs and support the current recommendations for the HPV vaccine.
University of Tennessee College of Medicine Chattanooga, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chattanooga, TN 37403, USA. christyfridaypearce@yahoo.com
Christy F
CF
Pearce
Lynlee M
LM
Wolfe
Stephen E
SE
DePasquale
J Michael
JM
Breen
D000293:Adolescent; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002648:Child; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D053918:Papillomavirus Vaccines; D010372:Pediatrics / Q000592:standards; D010820:Physicians / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015229:Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Viral / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013714:Tennessee / Q000453:epidemiology
D053918:Papillomavirus Vaccines