HUMAN PAPILLOMAVIRUS HEALTH LITERACY AND VACCINATION RECOMMENDATION PRACTICES AMONG NORTH CAROLINA PHYSICIANS

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to assess the HPV-related knowledge and vaccination recommendation practices of NC physicians. A 25-question online survey was distributed to the NC Pediatric Society Listserv, the NC Family Medicine July and August 2018 e-newsletter and emailed to all pediatric and medicine physicians who are registered with the NC Medical Board. Survey items included questions about HPV-related epidemiology, practice vaccination policy, and recommendation guideline adherence. The results of the survey highlighted key areas of strength, such as comfort discussing sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and improvement, such as HPV knowledge, dosing schedule, and policy. Almost all physicians (94%) reported being comfortable discussing STIs and recommending the HPV vaccine for patients (98%). However, only half (50%) of physicians knew that most HPV infections clear up within 2 years, and that HPV-related oropharyngeal cancer is highest among men (51%). Almost two-thirds of physicians (64%) did not know the correct HPV vaccine dosing schedule for an 11-12-year-old. Over half of practices (58%) did not have an HPV vaccination policy. Roughly half (51%) of participants were interested in a brief training on the newest HPV vaccine guidelines, with over half (55%) of respondents favoring an online training for continuing education credit. Notably, only 27% of physicians were using the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) preferred recommendation method of informing the parent that their child is due for the HPV vaccine, providing information, and ordering the vaccine unless the parent objects. These results show the need for improvement in HPV knowledge, adherence to recommendation guidelines, and a need for practice vaccination policy among NC physicians.