[Standpoint and practice concerning the human Papillomavirus vaccine among French family physicians].
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to assess the standpoint of family physicians in the Southern French region Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur concerning human Papillomavirus vaccination and to evaluate the factors associated with a favorable standpoint.


METHODS
A questionnaire was sent to a random sample of 1,000 family physicians. The survey focused on their profile, their views on vaccination generally and on HPV vaccination, their knowledge of HPV, their standpoint concerning STD prevention and cervical cancer screening. Multivariable linear regression system was used to study the variations associated with a favorable response to HPV vaccination.


RESULTS
Response was 36.6%. The responses were analyzed taking into account gender of the family physicians, location and size of their practice. There was reasonable similarity amongst those questioned. Around 89.6% of family physicians answers were in favor of HPV. The ideal age for vaccination was between 11 and 13 years of age for 34.4% and between 14 and 15 for 53.9%. The family physicians most in favor of vaccination were those involved in screening for STDs, those who did not think that the vaccine would have a negative effect on the image of sexuality and on screening for cervical cancer, and those who were confident about the vaccine safety.


CONCLUSIONS
The study identified the negative elements concerning HPV in order to optimize information strategies among family physicians.
Service d'acceuil des urgences pédiatriques, CHU Nord, chemins des Bourrely, 13015 Marseille, France.
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Piana
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Noel
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Uters
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Laporte
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Minodier
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005602:France; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000517:prevention & control; D053918:Papillomavirus Vaccines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010821:Physicians, Family; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000821:virology
D053918:Papillomavirus Vaccines