# Human papillomavirus vaccine delivery practices among pediatricians and pediatric trainees in a tertiary hospital in Singapore

## TL;DR

This study examines how pediatricians and trainees in Singapore advocate for HPV vaccination, finding low uptake and highlighting knowledge gaps and strategies to improve it.

## Contribution

The study identifies barriers to HPV vaccine advocacy among pediatricians and proposes targeted strategies to improve vaccination rates, particularly in males.

## Key findings

- Most pediatricians did not recommend HPV vaccination or receive related inquiries in the past year.
- Inadequate knowledge was the most common barrier to HPV vaccine advocacy.
- Educating physicians and caregivers and offering free vaccines were seen as effective strategies to increase uptake.

## Abstract

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection and is associated with cervical, anogenital, and oropharyngeal cancers. It is crucial to improve vaccination uptake in both genders as primary prevention for these conditions. Pediatricians play an active role in advocating for HPV vaccination and our study aims to assess the level of knowledge, attitudes, barriers, and practices among pediatric trainees and general pediatricians regarding HPV infection and vaccination. A survey‐questionnaire was administered to our target groups. It comprised 14 questions regarding demographics of the healthcare provider, knowledge of HPV infection and vaccination, practices and barriers of recommending HPV vaccination, and effective strategies for improving HPV vaccine uptake. Among survey respondents, majority did not recommend for HPV vaccination (66.7%) or receive any enquiry about it (80.6%) within the preceding 12 months. The most common perceived barrier was inadequate knowledge, which was consistent with the misconceptions regarding HPV infection and vaccination that were identified in this survey. Strategies which physicians felt would be most effective in increasing vaccine uptake include educating and providing resources for both physicians and caregivers as well as making the vaccine free. Our study revealed a low advocacy rate for HPV vaccination. Physicians need to be equipped with the knowledge, skills, and resources to better counsel caregivers as well as focus our efforts on vaccinating male patients in order to increase vaccine uptake in both genders.

This study showed the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination advocacy trends, perceived barriers, and facilitators for pediatricians to initiate HPV vaccination regime. By identifying the barriers for vaccination, we aim to work toward improving vaccine uptake rates, especially among the young male population to improve herd immunity.