PMID: 25759351Mar 12, 2015Paper

Human Papillomavirus infection and vaccination: knowledge and attitudes of Italian general practitioners

Epidemiologia e prevenzione
Carlo SignorelliCesira Pasquarella

Abstract

To assess General Pratictioner's (GPs) knowledge and attitudes about HPV infection and prevention. A semi-structured survey was conducted from November to December 2013 among Italian GPs. Descriptive and univariate analyses were carried out. 938 GPs were included in the study. 15% participated in continuing medical education courses focusing on HPV. GPs identified as HPV transmission routes: sexual (100%), cutaneous (15%), transplacental (13%), haematic (9%) and by air (2%); they considered HPV-related diseases: cervical (98%), vulvar and vaginal (42%), anal (39%), penile (38%) and oral (38%) cancer, genital warts (79%) and respiratory papillomatosis (12%). They knew HPV vaccination is to prevent HPV-associated cancer (60%), in particular cervical cancer (35%), genital warts (3%) and sexually transmitted diseases (2%). A total of 73% were aware of the existence of both available vaccines, 69% believed that immunization target population should be females before initiation of sexual activity, 87% knew the age of vaccine administration. No significant difference in knowledge was retrieved by age, gender, level of education or region of origin. We report a lack of knowledge on HPV infection and vaccination in GPs. GPs have a key r...Continue Reading

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