Knowledge of HPV, its vaccines, and attitudes toward HPV vaccines among obstetrician-gynecologists, pediatricians and immunization services providers in Western China.

BACKGROUND: In mainland China, HPV vaccines have been available to the public. However, only a few related studies among health care providers, as the key information providers, were reported although public concerns on HPV vaccines still exist. In this study, we aim to assess the knowledge of HPV, its vaccines, and attitudes toward HPV vaccines among the three most important groups of health care providers in Western China. METHOD: This was a cross-sectional questionnaire-based study. Health care providers including obstetrician-gynecologists (OB-GYNs), pediatricians, and immunization service providers in Western China were investigated regarding their knowledge of HPV and its vaccines and their attitudes toward HPV vaccines. RESULTS: Of 1079 health care providers completing the survey, 1015 (94.1%) knew HPV infection is the primary cause of cervical cancer. However, lower knowledge levels of other HPV-related diseases were also found (43.2%). About three-quarters (74.1%) of practitioners interviewed would be willing to recommend HPV vaccination, which was found to be lower among the OB-GYNs (69.6%) and the pediatricians (73.2%). "Lack of relevant knowledge," "concerns on safety and efficacy" and price were the three most important concerns surrounding HPV vaccination. CONCLUSION: The interviewed practitioners did not have adequate knowledge of HPV and its vaccines in depth. Education interventions are highly recommended to the health care providers, especially for OB-GYNs and pediatricians, to increase the coverage of HPV vaccination among the population. For the currently high price of vaccines, a future co-sharing mechanism between the government, the providers, and the individuals might be a solution.

Effect of an educational intervention on human papillomavirus (HPV) knowledge and attitudes towards HPV vaccines among healthcare workers (HCWs) in Western China.

BACKGROUND: Healthcare workers (HCWs) play a key role in the recommendation of HPV vaccination. Our study aimed to understand to what extent a structured health intervention could change the knowledge and attitudes toward HPV and its vaccines among HCWs in Western China. METHODS: This was a multi-center, questionnaire-based interventional study conducted across 12 cities of seven provinces in Western China, from November 2018 to July 2019. Participants were recruited from local health systems by e-invitation. Questionnaires were administered to participants before and after the intervention. RESULTS: A total of 1448 HCWs attended the educational lectures and 1354 participants completed both pre- and post-study questionnaires. In general, HCWs had satisfactory baseline knowledge regarding HPV and its vaccines compared with other populations, and a significantly higher knowledge level was observed after the intervention. However, some more specific knowledge on the vaccination procedures, other HPV-related diseases and whether HPV testing was required before vaccination was relatively poor. Following the educational intervention, the correct responses to the above questions increased (P < .001). However, it was still lower compared with answers to other questions. Change was also detected regarding HCWs' willingness to recommend HPV vaccines to the appropriate population (P < .001). CONCLUSION: Educational intervention on HPV and its vaccines is effective in improving HCWs' knowledge levels and willingness to recommend HPV vaccines. Future educational interventions should focus more on knowledge regarding HPV-related diseases and HPV vaccination. Education campaigns targeting rural HCWs are urgently needed in the near future.

Health-related quality of life and its influencing factors in Chinese with knee osteoarthritis.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of knee osteoarthritis (KOA) patients in China, compare their HRQoL with norm population, and examine the associations between the potential influencing factors and HRQoL. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 912 KOA patients from 4 provinces between March and November 2017. All participants were diagnosed according to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE)'s criterion or the Chinese Medical Association (CMA)'s criterion. Recruited patients were surveyed for HRQoL using the 12-item Short Form (SF-12) and sociodemographic, disease-related factors. We assessed the associations between potential influencing factors and HRQoL using multiple linear regression models. RESULTS: Among the KOA patients, the mean physical component summary (PCS) of HRQoL was 40.91 ± 11.62, lower than norm (P < 0.001). And the mean mental component summary (MCS) was 50.25 ± 11.99, similar to the norm. Patients who were older (ß = - 0.155, P = 0.001), women (ß = - 4.589, P < 0.001), had ever been treated (ß = - 2.426, P = 0.006), had longer course of KOA (ß = - 0.164, P = 0.012), and were in early stage (ß = - 2.968, P = 0.001) or progressive/late stage (ß = - 7.636, P < 0.001) showed lower scores of PCS. Patients who lived in Hunan (ß = 4.988, P < 0.001) and had education levels of junior high school (ß = 3.134, P = 0.012) or senior high school and above (ß = 3.050, P = 0.010) had better mental status. Those suffered from non-knee pains (ß = - 2.308, P = 0.027) and with progressive or late KOA (ß = - 4.690, P = 0.016) had lower MCS scores. CONCLUSION: KOA patients had worse physical condition. The mental and physical health of patients were affected by different factors. Targeted management measures should be taken to improve their HRQoL.