A case-control study to evaluate awareness level of human papillomavirus among women healthcare professionals in tertiary health care facility

Aim: Human Papilloma Virus ranks first in the etiology of sexually transmitted diseases. In this study, it was aimed to determine factors affecting the knowledge and attitudes of female health care professionals about Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection and vaccine. Material and Methods: Between February and June 2020, 245 female healthcare professionals working in Health Sciences University Istanbul Training and Research Hospital, including doctors, nurses and midwives, participated in this observational, analytical and case-control study. The case group included 90 participants, and the control group included 155 participants. In the online questionnaire, socio-demographic and gynecological characteristics were evaluated using 21 questions, and awareness of HPV infection and vaccination using 49 questions. Results: Physicians accounted for 71.1% in the case group and 49.7% in the control group. The median age was 28 (min.23-max.51) years in the case group and 28 (min.21-max.59) years in the control group, and there was no significant difference between the two groups (p=0.189); 90.2% of the participants knew about HPV and 87.2% about the HPV vaccine. One hundred ninety-one participants answered all questions about HPV and its vaccine. The reason for those who did not want to be vaccinated in both groups was that it was expensive. Discussion: The knowledge levels of the participants about HPV and HPV vaccine were higher in the case group, and awareness of HPV infection and cervical cancer was insufficient in both groups. In order to prevent HPV-related infections and cancers, education should be given to increase the knowledge level among healthcare professionals.