Abi Jaoude J, Saad H, Farha L, Dagher H, Khair D, Kaafarani MA, Jamaluddine Z, Cherfan P. Barriers, Attitudes and Clinical Approach of Lebanese Physicians Towards HPV Vaccination; A Cross- Sectional Study.
Asian Pac J Cancer Prev 2019;
20:3181-3187. [PMID:
31653171 PMCID:
PMC6982667 DOI:
10.31557/apjcp.2019.20.10.3181]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES
HPV infection is associated with the development of cervical and oropharyngeal cancer. HPV vaccination prevents cervical cancer, but is still not part of Lebanon's routine vaccination schedule. As such, understanding physicians' practice towards HPV vaccination is essential.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
We conducted a cross-sectional study in Greater Beirut, Lebanon to assess the barriers, attitudes and clinical approach of Lebanese physicians towards HPV vaccination. We also aimed to analyze the factors associated with physicians' barriers to HPV vaccination.
RESULTS
In total, 228 physicians completed the survey. Our results show that physicians and parents consider the cost of HPV vaccination to be a main barrier (58.9% and 80.7% respectively). Also, parents tend to have concerns about vaccine safety (78.1%), efficacy (68.6%), and lack education concerning HPV infection (81.8%). Furthermore, female physicians tend to have fewer barriers when compared to male physicians (aOR = 0.39; p-value = 0.007). Additionally, physicians who completed residency programs in the USA also showed fewer barriers when compared to physicians who completed Lebanese residency programs (aOR = 0.24; p-value = 0.040). Finally, physicians with higher knowledge score have fewer barriers when compared to those with lower knowledge scores (aOR = 0.42; p-value = 0.018).
CONCLUSIONS
Physician gender, residency program and level of knowledge play a role in HPV vaccine barriers and recommendation in Lebanon. Future improvements in cost and awareness about HPV might improve vaccination rates. Creating uniform practices towards HPV vaccine is warranted to improve patient care.
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