Providers' beliefs about the effectiveness of the HPV vaccine in preventing cancer and their recommended age groups for vaccination : Findings from a provider survey, 2012
Menée aux Etats-Unis à partir des données d'une enquête en ligne réalisée en 2012 auprès de 1 753 médecins ou infirmières, cette étude évalue leurs connaissances vis-à-vis de l'efficacité du vaccin anti papillomavirus humain pour prévenir la survenue de certains cancers, puis analyse les recommandations prodiguées aux patientes
Background : The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine was recommended in 2007 by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) to preadolescent and adolescent girls. Vaccination initiation was recommended at age 11–12 years with the option to start at age 9. Catchup vaccination was recommended to females aged 13–26 previously not vaccinated. However, vaccination coverage remains low. Studies show that the HPV vaccine can prevent cervical, vulvar, vaginal, anal and some oropharyngeal cancers and that provider recommendation of vaccines can improve low vaccination rates.
Methods : Using data from 2012 DocStyles, an annual, web-based survey of U.S. healthcare professionals including physicians and nurse practitioners (n = 1753), we examined providers' knowledge about the effectiveness of the HPV vaccine in preventing cancer and their vaccine recommendation to all age-eligible females (9–26 years). Descriptive statistics and Chi-square tests were used to assess differences across specialties.
Results : Knowledge about HPV vaccine effectiveness in preventing cervical cancer was highly prevalent (96.9%), but less so for anal, vaginal, vulvar and oropharyngeal cancers. Only 14.5% of providers recommended the vaccine to all age-eligible females and 20.2% recommended it to females aged 11–26 years. Knowledge assessment of cancers associated with HPV and vaccination recommendations varied significantly among providers (p < 0.01). Providers more frequently recommended the vaccine to girls older than 11–12 years.
Conclusions : Improving providers' knowledge about HPV-associated cancers and the age for vaccination initiation, communicating messages focusing on the vaccine safety and benefits in cancer prevention and on the importance of its delivery prior to sexual onset, may improve HPV vaccine coverage.
Preventive Medicine , résumé, 2014