Knowledge and attitudes of primary health care workers about cervical cancer and HPV vaccine.

Abstract

Purpose: To assess family doctors and primary health care personnels’ (nurses and midwifes) knowledge and attitudes about cervical cancer (risk factors, screening, prevention) and the HPV vaccine. Material and Methods: This descriptive study was conducted in Family Health Centers in a province in Turkey. No sample was selected. All family physicians and nurses and midwifes working in all the Family Health Centers in this province were planned to include in the study. Data were collected with a questionnaire. Results: This study revealed that only 28.4% of the physicians and 35.3% of the nurses and midwifes stated they had enough knowledge about cervical cancer. Knowledge rates about when to initiate screening for cervical cancer was higher, but knowledge about when to discontinue was lower. Only 15% of the physicians and 35% of the nurses and midwifes cited postmenopausal bleeding as a possible symptom of cervical cancer and only 18% of the physicians and 25% of the nurses and midwifes knew that the HPV vaccine is suitable for both girls and boys. Although 84% of the physicians and 88% of the nurses and midwifes were aware of the protective role of the HPV vaccine and 83% and 79% of them, respectively, stated to recommend their patients vaccination, lower rates were reported in case of a vaccination of their own daughters (65% and 52%, respectively). Reasons against vaccination were stated as not believing that it protects against the virus and lack of knowledge about its side effects. Conclusion: Lack of knowledge and conflicting attitudes about cervical cancer, HPV and HPV vaccination are existing among primary care workers.