A Cross-Sectional Study of Knowledge, Attitude and Practice Regarding HPV Vaccination Among Medical Doctors at a Tertiary Care Institute in a City of North-Western Rajasthan

Dr. Archana Kumari, Dr. Ruchi Saxena

Abstract: Background: Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a major cause of cervical cancer, which is the second leading cause of female cancer in India. Although effective HPV vaccines are available, their uptake in India is low. Healthcare providers play a critical role in promoting vaccination, and their knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) are key factors in the success of any vaccination program. This study aimed to evaluate the KAP regarding HPV vaccination among medical doctors at a tertiary care institute in North-Western Rajasthan. Methods: This was a hospital based cross-sectional survey conducted from April to July 2025. The study population consisted of medical doctors (minimum qualification MBBS and above) at Sardar Patel Medical College and associated P.B.M. Hospitals in Bikaner. A total of 520 doctors participated in the study. A predesigned questionnaire was used to collect data on socio-demographics, knowledge, attitude, and practices related to HPV and its vaccination. Knowledge, attitude, and practice scores were categorized as poor, average, or good based on a defined scoring system. Results: The mean age of the study participants was 37.89 ± 11.26 years, with a male to female ratio of 2.90:1. The majority of participants were from an urban background (61.73%) and had a graduate degree (MBBS) (60.2%). The study found that 60% of the doctors had average knowledge about HPV and its vaccine, while 21.54% had poor knowledge and 18.46% had good knowledge. Attitude towards vaccination was generally positive, with 58.08% showing an average attitude and 19.04% showing a good attitude. However, practice scores were low, with 56.35% having average practices, 22.88% having poor practices, and only 20.77% having good practices. Only 11.5% of subjects had personally received the HPV vaccine, and only 49.1% actively encouraged their eligible patients to get vaccinated. Conclusion: This study highlights that while medical doctors possess a reasonably good understanding of HPV and its vaccination, there are gaps in specific aspects of knowledge that may hinder optimal vaccination practices. The attitude toward vaccination is positive, but the actual practice is poor, possibly due to factors such as the high cost of the vaccine, doubts about its efficacy and safety, and limited availability. The findings emphasize the need for targeted educational interventions and policy changes to make the vaccine more accessible and affordable, thereby increasing its uptake and reducing the burden of cervical cancer in India.

Keywords: HPV vaccination awareness, cervical cancer prevention, doctors knowledge attitude practice, vaccine uptake gap, India healthcare system

How to Cite?: Dr. Archana Kumari, Dr. Ruchi Saxena, "A Cross-Sectional Study of Knowledge, Attitude and Practice Regarding HPV Vaccination Among Medical Doctors at a Tertiary Care Institute in a City of North-Western Rajasthan", Volume 14 Issue 12, December 2025, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 2075-2078, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=SR251224172117, DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21275/SR251224172117