Knowledge and Attitude of Male Healthcare Workers Regarding Human
Papillomavirus and Vaccination
Abstract
Background: Human papillomavirus is a pathogen that can cause
genital warts and malignancies both in males and females.
Material and method: The study was conducted as a descriptive,
cross-sectional survey between June 20-30, 2023. A questionnaire was
developed by reviewing similar studies to evaluate the sociodemographic
structure, knowledge about HPV, knowledge about vaccination and attitude
towards vaccination. Results: A total of 322 volunteers
completed the questionnaire. Participants mostly gived true answers to
the questions about human papillomavirus, while they gived falso answers
to the questions about vaccination at a high rate. In addition, the
overall Human papillomavirus knowledge score of vaccinated participants
or participants willing to be vaccinated was significantly higher than
that of unvaccinated participants and participants unwilling to be
vaccinated (p<0.05). There was a significant and moderately
strong relationship between Human papillomavirus vaccine knowledge level
and willingness (Phi = 0.26, p = 2.94e-06), while there was a
significant but low strenghth relationship between vaccination status
(Phi = 0.17, p = 1.86e-03). It was determined that medical position,
age, alcohol use and regular physical activity were more likely to
negatively affect the Human papillomavirus knowledge levels of assistant
health care workers. Vaccine unwillingness was also high in 27-40 age
group. Conclusion: Human papillomavirus knowledge, medical
position, number of sexual partners, social habits, view about
vaccination, cost, religious and cultural values directly affect the
rate of human papillomavirus vaccination and willingness to be
vaccinated.