Evaluation of Healthcare Workers' Knowledge Level, Attitudes, and Behaviors Regarding Human Papilloma Virus Vaccine

Introduction: Vaccination holds great importance in the fight against diseases caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). In this study, the knowledge levels, attitudes, and behaviors of physicians and nurses from various specialties and positions regarding HPV-related diseases and the HPV vaccine were evaluated. Materials and Methods: A total of 204 volunteers, including faculty members, specialist physicians, research assistants, and nurses, participated in the study. Participants were asked to complete an online survey form consisting of 13 questions, including demographic data and 12 questions that measured their knowledge about HPV and its vaccine. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences for Windows (v20.0; IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). Results: Of the participants, 54.9% recommended the HPV vaccine to their patients and relatives. While 45.6% of nurses stated that they recommended the vaccine, 58.5% of physicians reported doing so. Among physicians, the rate of recommending the vaccine was higher among research assistants. When the evaluation was conducted across specialties, gynecologists and obstetricians had the highest rate of recommending the vaccine. Among those who did not recommend the vaccine, the majority stated, "I do not have enough knowledge or experience regarding the HPV vaccine."Among the participants, 10.8% believed that HPV does not cause disease in men, 7.8% thought the vaccine could not be administered to men, 12.7% believed there is an effective antiviral treatment for HPV, and 21.6% thought the vaccine also protects against other sexually transmitted diseases. in 17 patients (1.41%), with confirmed HIV-HCV coinfection in six of them. All coinfected patients received appropriate treatment. Conclusion: The HPV vaccine has been emphasized for years in our country. For society to become informed and conscious about this issue, healthcare professionals must first have accurate knowledge and apply it in practice. Greater importance should be placed on this topic; gaps in knowledge must be identified, and targeted training programs should be organized.

Journal

FLORA INFEKSIYON HASTALIKLARI VE KLINIK MIKROBIYOLOJI DERGISI

Year

2026

Volume

31

Issue

1

Pages

63-71

ISSN

1300-932X

eISSN

2602-2842

DOI

10.5578/flora.2026011438

WoS UID

WOS:001721010800009

Open via DOI