Awareness and attitude of doctors about the HPV vaccine in Croatia

Introduction: Primary prevention of cervical cancer includes informing, raising awareness about responsible sexual behavior, prevention of sexually transmitted infections, and contraception. As part of primary prevention, human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination is an available and effective additional protective method against premalignant and malignant anogenital lesions. This study aimed to investigate physician’s knowledge, opinions, and attitudes about vaccination and HPV vaccination status in Croatia. Methods: A descriptive, observational, cross-sectional study was conducted among members of the Croatian Medical Chamber by using electronic questionnaire. Socio-demographic characteristics of the respondents, knowledge, attitudes and willingness for vaccination, vaccination status of respondents and their children were analyzed by chi-square test. Results: In the analyzed group (N=1,688 of 18,421), 91.59% respondents (N=1,546) advocate, 3.14% (N=53) oppose, and 5.27% (N=89) do not have attitude towards vaccination. The share of physicians vaccinated against HPV is 12.32% (N=208), 19.73% (N=333) vaccinated their child, and 46.64% (N=632 of 1,355) who did not vaccinat their children or do not have any , intend to do it. The majority of vaccinated physicians do not have specialization (30.19%, N=112 of 371), and belong to younger age groups. The majority (99.17%, N=1,674) believethat the HPV vaccine is available in Croatia, 86.85% (N=1,466) believe that vaccination is intended for both sexes older than nine years, and 60.55% of respondents (N=1,022) believe that cervical dysplasia is not a contraindication for vaccination. The commonest reasons for opposing HPV vaccination are side effects and opinion that vaccination is unnecessary. Conclusion: Most respondents have a positive attitude about HPV vaccination. Despite the low HPV vaccination rate of physicians and their children, most respondents are willing to vaccinate their children. The low vaccination rate is probably due to the smaller number of younger respondents who have had the opportunity to be vaccinated. Nevertheless, willingness to vaccinate children is an important indicator of the attitude towards vaccination.