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Ikiroma A, Santin O, Camanda J, Chocolate F, Pelinganga O, Jordao H, Tommasino M, Lohfeld L, Anderson L. Evaluation of human papillomavirus (HPV) knowledge among healthcare professionals: A study of conference attendees in Angola. Glob Public Health 2023; 18:2099931. [PMID: 35849621 DOI: 10.1080/17441692.2022.2099931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Human papillomavirus (HPV) plays an essential role in cervical cancer development. Angola has a high cervical cancer incidence rate (36.1 per 100,000); therefore, knowledge of HPV among clinicians is essential for the prevention of cervical cancer and educating at-risk individuals. This study aimed to evaluate knowledge of HPV among healthcare professionals in Angola. A 44-item questionnaire was distributed to 65 healthcare professionals who attended a conference on the cancer burden in Angola. Non-parametric and multiple regression analyses were conducted. Of the participants (55.6%) were male, and 33.3% were aged 31-40 years, 56.3% had an undergraduate degree, and 35.9% had a postgraduate degree. All participants worked in healthcare in academic and/or clinical settings, with 36.7% in joint contracts. Most (62.2%) knew that early sexual debut increases the risk of contracting HPV, and HPV vaccines are most effective if administered before sexual debut. However, there was limited knowledge regarding the virus transmission. The mean HPV knowledge score was 11.08 ± 8.76 and knowledge was higher among older healthcare workers (>50 years) with a postgraduate degree and working in a clinical role. Overall, HPV knowledge was limited among the respondents. Policymakers should consider promoting knowledge and targeted public health initiatives among healthcare professionals in Angola.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adalia Ikiroma
- Aberdeen Centre for Health Data Science, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Olinda Santin
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK
| | | | | | - Osvaldo Pelinganga
- Department of Agriculture, Instituto Superior Politécnico do Cuanza Sul, Sumbe, Angola
| | - Haydee Jordao
- Centre for Public Health, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK
| | - Massimo Tommasino
- Infections and Cancer Biology Group, International Agency for Research on Cancer, Lyon, France
| | - Lynne Lohfeld
- Centre for Public Health, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK
| | - Lesley Anderson
- Aberdeen Centre for Health Data Science, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
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Voidăzan TS, Budianu MA, Rozsnyai FF, Kovacs Z, Uzun CC, Neagu N. Assessing the Level of Knowledge, Beliefs and Acceptance of HPV Vaccine: A Cross-Sectional Study in Romania. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19116939. [PMID: 35682518 PMCID: PMC9180695 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19116939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Revised: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 06/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
(1) Background: The infection with Human papilloma virus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection and it has been associated with cervical cancer (CC) in 99.7% of the cases. In Romania, CC is the second most common, with incidence (22.6%000) and mortality rates (9.6%000) three times higher than any other European country. Our aim was to assess the level of knowledge regarding HPV infection among parents, highschool students, medical students and doctors, with an emphasis on their main source of information—the Internet. (2) Methods: We applied five questionnaires to six categories of respondents: parents of pupils in the 6th–8th grades, medical students, doctors, boys in the 11th–12th grades, girls in the 11th–12th grades and their mothers. (3) Results: We included a total of 3108 respondents. 83.83% of all respondents had known about HPV infection. The level of information about HPV infection and vaccination was either satisfactory, poor or very poor. Their main source of information varied depending on the respondent profile and professional activity. Medical students were informed by doctors and healthcare professionals (53.0%), doctors gathered their information from books, journals and specialized brochures (61.6%). For the other categories of respondents, the Internet was the main source of information. Most respondents answered that doctors and healthcare professionals should provide information on HPV infection and vaccination, but very few of them actually seeked information from their general practitioner. (4) Conclusions: Population adherence to the appropriate preventative programs, as well as relevant information disseminated by the medical staff are key elements towards reducing the risk of HPV-associated cancers. An important role could also be played by schools, where teachers and school doctors could provide relevant information on the general aspects of HPV infection. Additionally, sex education classes and parent-teacher meetings should cover the main characteristics of HPV infection and what preventative measures can be employed against it.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toader Septimiu Voidăzan
- Department of Epidemiology, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science, and Technology of Targu Mures, 38 Gheorghe Marinescu Street, 540139 Targu Mures, Romania; (T.S.V.); (N.N.)
| | - Mihaela Alexandra Budianu
- Department of Epidemiology, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science, and Technology of Targu Mures, 38 Gheorghe Marinescu Street, 540139 Targu Mures, Romania; (T.S.V.); (N.N.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +40-753628055
| | - Florin Francisc Rozsnyai
- Department of Obstetrics Gynecology, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science, and Technology of Târgu Mureș, 38 Gheorghe Marinescu Street, 540139 Targu Mures, Romania;
| | - Zsolt Kovacs
- Department of Biochemistry, Environmental Chemistry, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science, and Technology of Târgu Mureș, 38 Gheorghe Marinescu Street, 540139 Targu Mures, Romania; (Z.K.); (C.C.U.)
| | - Cosmina Cristina Uzun
- Department of Biochemistry, Environmental Chemistry, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science, and Technology of Târgu Mureș, 38 Gheorghe Marinescu Street, 540139 Targu Mures, Romania; (Z.K.); (C.C.U.)
| | - Nicoleta Neagu
- Department of Epidemiology, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science, and Technology of Targu Mures, 38 Gheorghe Marinescu Street, 540139 Targu Mures, Romania; (T.S.V.); (N.N.)
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Identification of the Human Papillomavirus Genotypes, According to the Human Immunodeficiency Virus Status in a Cohort of Women from Maputo, Mozambique. Viruses 2021; 14:v14010024. [PMID: 35062228 PMCID: PMC8780750 DOI: 10.3390/v14010024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2021] [Revised: 12/10/2021] [Accepted: 12/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is now a well-established cause of cervical cancer and other anogenital cancers. An association between human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and higher HPV incidence and prevalence are commonly reported. This study was conducted to demonstrate HPV prevalence, genotypes and its characteristics, according to the HIV status in women from Maputo in Mozambique. METHODS A total of 233 participants with ages ranging from fourteen to forty-five were included. Cervical samples were collected, DNA extracted, and HPV genotyping was performed using the HPV Direct Flow CHIP Kit. RESULTS In total, 177 HIV-negative and 56 HIV-positive women were included in the analysis. The overall HPV prevalence was 63% and was significantly higher among HIV-positive women (79% versus 58% among HIV-negative women; p = 0.005). The prevalence of multiple HPV type infections was 32%. High-risk HPV types 52, 68, 35, 18 and 16 were the most frequent. A higher proportion of HIV-positive women had multiple HPV types compared with HIV-negative women. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrated a high prevalence of HPV in the study cohort. HIV-positive women were identified as having the highest HPV prevalence and infection with multiple HPV types across all ages. High-risk genotypes were the most commonly found.
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Rančić NK, Golubović MB, Ilić MV, Ignjatović AS, Živadinović RM, Đenić SN, Momčilović SD, Kocić BN, Milošević ZG, Otašević SA. Knowledge about Cervical Cancer and Awareness of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and HPV Vaccine among Female Students from Serbia. MEDICINA-LITHUANIA 2020; 56:medicina56080406. [PMID: 32823648 PMCID: PMC7466248 DOI: 10.3390/medicina56080406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2020] [Revised: 08/02/2020] [Accepted: 08/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Background and objectives: Persistent infection with carcinogenic human papillomavirus (HPV) is the leading cause of cervical cancer. The study explored students’ knowledge about cervical cancer and awareness of human papillomavirus and the HPV vaccine. Materials and Methods: A questionnaire-based survey was carried out among 1616 first-year female college students at the University of Niš. It examined socio-demographic characteristics, measured the score of knowledge about cervical cancer, assessed awareness regarding HPV and the HPV vaccine and inquired about the source of information about cervical cancer and HPV. Results: The average cervical cancer knowledge score was 16.35 ± 7.92 (min 0, max 30), with medical professional education, parents’ education level, place of residence and relationship status having significant effects on the score. The awareness about HPV and the HPV vaccine was low, with only 14.2% of students having heard about both HPV and its vaccine. The most commonly reported sources of information were the media, while the most competent one was organized health education. Conclusions: Health promotion campaigns and educational programs are necessary in order to reduce cervical cancer burden and should be directed particularly towards those who have demonstrated low cervical cancer knowledge and low awareness regarding HPV and its vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nataša K. Rančić
- Faculty of Medicine Niš, University of Niš, 18 000 Niš, Serbia; (A.S.I.); (R.M.Ž.); (B.N.K.); (Z.G.M.); (S.A.O.)
- Correspondence:
| | | | - Mirko V. Ilić
- Center for Control and Prevention of Diseases, Institute for Public Health Niš, 18 000 Niš, Serbia;
| | - Aleksanda S. Ignjatović
- Faculty of Medicine Niš, University of Niš, 18 000 Niš, Serbia; (A.S.I.); (R.M.Ž.); (B.N.K.); (Z.G.M.); (S.A.O.)
| | - Radomir M. Živadinović
- Faculty of Medicine Niš, University of Niš, 18 000 Niš, Serbia; (A.S.I.); (R.M.Ž.); (B.N.K.); (Z.G.M.); (S.A.O.)
| | - Saša N. Đenić
- Center for Radiology, Clinical Center Niš, 18 000 Niš, Serbia;
| | - Stefan D. Momčilović
- Clinic for Reconstructive and Plastic Surgery, Clinical Center Niš, 18 000 Niš, Serbia;
| | - Biljana N. Kocić
- Faculty of Medicine Niš, University of Niš, 18 000 Niš, Serbia; (A.S.I.); (R.M.Ž.); (B.N.K.); (Z.G.M.); (S.A.O.)
| | - Zoran G. Milošević
- Faculty of Medicine Niš, University of Niš, 18 000 Niš, Serbia; (A.S.I.); (R.M.Ž.); (B.N.K.); (Z.G.M.); (S.A.O.)
| | - Suzana A. Otašević
- Faculty of Medicine Niš, University of Niš, 18 000 Niš, Serbia; (A.S.I.); (R.M.Ž.); (B.N.K.); (Z.G.M.); (S.A.O.)
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Khamisy-Farah R, Adawi M, Jeries-Ghantous H, Bornstein J, Farah R, Bragazzi NL, Odeh M. Knowledge of Human Papillomavirus (HPV), Attitudes and Practices Towards Anti-HPV Vaccination Among Israeli Pediatricians, Gynecologists, and Internal Medicine Doctors: Development and Validation of an Ad Hoc Questionnaire. Vaccines (Basel) 2019; 7:E157. [PMID: 31640127 PMCID: PMC6963669 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines7040157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2019] [Revised: 10/17/2019] [Accepted: 10/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a highly widespread virus which is responsible for one of the most common sexually transmitted infections. Two main preventative strategies exist: anti-HPV vaccination and cervical screening. Health-care workers play a key role in promoting public health campaigns; however, vaccine hesitancy is an often under-recognized challenge. To investigate the overall knowledge of HPV and HPV-related issues, as well as the attitudes and practices of health professionals towards recommending the anti-HPV vaccine, an ad hoc knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) questionnaire was developed and validated in a sample of 139 Israeli pediatricians, gynecologists, and internal medicine doctors. The KAP questionnaire was found to be psychometrically valid and sound (with an rKR-20 coefficient of 0.74 for the second part and a Cronbach's alpha of 0.85 for the third part). Furthermore, the present study confirmed the importance of health-care providers in recommending the immunization practice. Parents that had been strongly advised by health-care providers to vaccinate their children accepted immunization for their girls (odds ratio (OR) 1.09 (95% CI 1.04-1.14)) and boys (OR 1.06 (95% CI 1.02-1.10)), had a lower probability of deciding to postpone the immunization appointment (OR 0.81 (95% CI 0.66-0.98)), had fewer doubts and concerns about the vaccine (OR 0.69 (95% CI 0.54-0.89)), and had a lower probability of refusing the vaccination (OR 0.93 (95% CI 0.86-0.99)). Interestingly, the use of new, emerging tools such as ad hoc websites, applications, and other interactive devices reduced vaccine hesitancy (OR 0.90 (95% CI 0.82-0.99)) and concerns about the side-effects of the vaccine (OR 0.92 (95% CI 0.86-0.99)). However, among Israeli health-care workers, knowledge was generally moderate, with updated information lacking in about 30% of surveyed health-care providers and approximately 20% of them not recommending the anti-HPV vaccine among boys. This study has practical implications for policy- and decision-makers in that they should be aware of the overall level of knowledge among health-care workers and should implement ad hoc educational interventions to address gaps in knowledge and help medical providers routinely recommend the anti-HPV vaccine both to male and female children and adolescents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rola Khamisy-Farah
- Clalit Health Service, Akko, Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Bar-Ilan University, Safed 13100, Israel.
| | - Mohammad Adawi
- Department of Medicine, Baruch Padeh Medical Center, Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Bar Ilan University, Ramat Gan 5290002, Israel.
| | - Haneen Jeries-Ghantous
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Galilee Medical Center, Nahariya 22100, Galilee, Israel.
- Faculty of Medicine, Bar Ilan University, Safed 13100, Israel.
| | - Jacob Bornstein
- Department of Internal Medicine B, Ziv Medical Center, Safed-Israel, Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Bar-Ilan University, Safed 13100, Israel.
| | - Raymond Farah
- Department of Internal Medicine B, Ziv Medical Center, Safed-Israel, Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Bar-Ilan University, Safed 13100, Israel.
| | - Nicola Luigi Bragazzi
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Laboratory for Industrial and Applied Mathematics (LIAM), York University, Toronto, ON M3J 1P3, Canada.
| | - Marwan Odeh
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Galilee Medical Center, Nahariya 22100, Galilee, Israel.
- Faculty of Medicine, Bar Ilan University, Safed 13100, Israel.
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