The Acceptability of HPV Vaccines and Perceptions of Vaccination against HPV among Physicians and Nurses in Hong Kong

• Main Authors: Teris Cheung, Joseph T.F. Lau, Johnson Z. Wang, Phoenix Mo, C.K. Siu, Rex T.H. Chan, Janice Y.S. Ho
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2019-05-01
• Series: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
• Subjects: HPV vaccine; acceptability; physicians; nurses; self-efficacy
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/16/10/1700

<i>Background</i>: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections nationwide. <i>Methods</i>: This is the first cross-sectional survey assessing physicians&#8217; and nurses&#8217; knowledge of HPV and recording their attitudes to HPV vaccination in Hong Kong. Survey questions were derived from the Health Belief Model. <i>Results</i>: 1152 clinicians (170 physicians and 982 nurses) aged 21 and 60 participated in this study. A multiple stepwise regression model was used to examine associations between cognitive factors (clinicians&#8217; attitudes) and subjects&#8217; intention to HPV vaccine uptake. Results showed that only 30.2% of physicians and 21.2% nurses found vaccinating for HPV acceptable. <i>Conclusions</i>: Perceived self-efficacy was the only significant background and cognitive variable associated with physicians&#8217; and nurses&#8217; accepting HPV vaccines. Further, when nurses found HPV vaccination acceptable, cues to action was featured as a significant background variable in their choice.