Knowledge about human papillomavirus transmission and prevention among physicians in Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil

Abstract

the goals is to reduce knowledge gaps concerning HPV infection 1 . Additionally, HPV is involved in other cancers, such as anogenital and oropharyngeal ones, all of them susceptible to prevention by vaccine 2 .The success of HPV prevention programs will depend on whether health care professionals recommend the vaccine to patients. They influence the decision-making of patients and guardians, minimize vaccination barriers, and increase its acceptability 3 .The knowledge on HPV and related cancers is developed throughout medical education and will be essential to physicians, especially those dealing with HPV malignant lesions at different levels of care-health counseling and education, prevention by vaccination and screening, diagnosis, treatment, and recovery 4 .In Brazil, cervical cancer is still an important cause of cancer and death 5 . Urgent and bold action is needed to scale up and sustain evidence-based interventions. The identification of knowledge gaps among physicians can support proposals for improving medical education, reduce negative beliefs, and promote adherence to vaccination and other HPV prevention methods, contributing to HPV incidence reduction and cervical cancer control 1 .The objective of the study was to assess physicians' knowledge about HPV infection and its prevention in Rio de Janeiro (RJ) state, Brazil.