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

ECU Author/Contributor (non-ECU co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)

Kristen Barnes (Creator)

Institution

East Carolina University (ECU )

Web Site: http://www.ecu.edu/lib/

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.

Additional Information

Publication

Thesis

Language: English

Date: 2019

Keywords

HPV health literacy, provider recommendation, HPV vaccination

Subjects

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