Factors influencing the recommendation of the Human Papillomavirus vaccine by South African doctors working in a tertiary hospital.
BACKGROUND
In South Africa, HPV vaccination programme has been incorporated recently in the school health system. Since doctors are the most trusted people regarding health issues in general, their knowledge and attitudes regarding HPV infections and vaccination are very important for HPV vaccine program nationally.


OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to investigate factors contributing to recommendation of HPV vaccines to the patients.


METHODS
This was a quantitative cross-sectional study conducted among 320 doctors, using a self-administered anonymous questionnaire.


RESULTS
All the doctors were aware of HPV and knew that HPV is transmitted sexually. Their overall level of knowledge regarding HPV infections and HPV vaccine was poor. But the majority intended to prescribe the vaccine to their patients. It was found that doctors who knew that HPV 6 and 11 are responsible for >90% of anogenital warts, their patients would comply with the counselling regarding HPV vaccination, and received sufficient information about HPV vaccination were 5.68, 4.91 and 4.46 times respectively more likely to recommend HPV vaccination to their patients, compared to their counterparts (p<0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
There was a knowledge gap regarding HPV infection and HPV vaccine among the doctors.
University of KwaZulu-Natal (Westville Campus) - Graduate School of Business and Leadership.
Muhammad Ehsanul
ME
Hoque
D000328:Adult; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D053918:Papillomavirus Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D013019:South Africa; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D062606:Tertiary Care Centers; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control*
D053918:Papillomavirus Vaccines
Human Papillomavirus vaccine; South Africa