Self assessment of Portuguese doctors dealing with HPV: portrait of screening, vaccination, counseling

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the way that doctors themselves, who often deal with human papilloma virus, embrace the subject from a personal perspective. Methodsː The study design was a survey questionnaire. Authors have included 460 female gynaecologists and general practicioners (GPs) working in Portugal, whose responses were duly validated. Inclusion criteria: women aged ≤ 45 years who agreed to take the survey, and already have had sexual intercourse. Data were collected in January 2015 using an electronic survey that ensured complete confidentiality. Resultsː The survey showed that most doctors accepting to take part in the survey were young doctors, of which 74.8% were GPs and 2.4% had never been screened for cervical cancer. Only 56.1% of respondents had been vaccinated against HPV. Statistical significance (p<0.05) was observed between vaccination and the age, region, specialty and vaccination counseling of its patients, relatives and friends. Conclusionsː Surprisingly, there are several facts concerning prevention of cervical cancer that still need to be clarified, even amongst the doctors who provide direct care to the population on the field, so that they start by adopting the recommended measures themselves, which may ultimately lead to an improvement in global health care.

Keywords

• cervical cancer
• screening
• vaccination
• papillomaviridae