Predictors of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine Acceptability Among Physicians, Their Knowledge on Cervical Cancer, and Factors Influencing Their Decision to Recommend It.

INTRODUCTION

In Saudi Arabia, the HPV vaccine is administered to young females through school-based immunization programs; however, the program's efficacy depends on parental consent, with physicians acting as primary determinants in parental decision-making regarding HPV vaccination.

METHODS

In this cross-sectional study, we recruited 128 physicians and assessed their knowledge and attitudes toward cervical cancer, HPV, and the HPV vaccine, and unraveled predictors of HPV vaccine acceptability and factors that would influence recommending the vaccine.

RESULTS

Although the major factor that influenced recommending the vaccine negatively was the fear of vaccine side effects, a positive influence of the physician's personal reading (91%), recommendations from colleagues (88%), and government directives (87%) provided reassurance and increased confidence in recommending the vaccine. Longer clinical experience and institutional awareness were found to be a predictors of favorable recommendation of HPV vaccination. Physicians in vaccine-related medical specialty with more than 4 years of experience were 5 to 6 times more likely to have positive attitude and better knowledge regarding HPV and HPV vaccination. A notable finding was that participants who reported knowing a woman suffering from cervical cancer had more positive attitudes compared to those who did not.

DISCUSSION

This study identified physicians' personal reading, peer recommendations, and government directives as factors affecting the physicians' decision to recommend HPV vaccine, and found that longer clinical experience and institutional awareness were predictors influencing physicians to recommend the vaccine. It also emphasizes on the influence of healthcare providers in promoting the HPV vaccination and the need for designing interventions targeting specific demographic and professional groups that would be more effective in improving better knowledge and promoting positive attitudes towards these critical public health issues.