Pediatricians’ intention to administer human papillomavirus vaccine: the role of practice characteristics, knowledge, and attitudes

Kahn, Jessica A.; Zimet, Gregory D.; Bernstein, David I.; Riedesel, Jeremy M.; Lan, Dongmei; Huang, Bin; Rosenthal, Susan L.

doi:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2005.07.014

« Previous Next »Journal of Adolescent Health
Volume 37, Issue 6 , Pages 502-510, December 2005

Pediatricians’ intention to administer human papillomavirus vaccine: the role of practice characteristics, knowledge, and attitudes

Jessica A. Kahn, M.D. M.P.H.
- Division of Adolescent Medicine, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
- University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio
- Address correspondence to: Dr. Jessica A. Kahn, Division of Adolescent Medicine, MLC 4000, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45229.
Gregory D. Zimet, Ph.D.
- Division of Adolescent Medicine, Indiana University, Indianapolis, Indiana
David I. Bernstein, M.D.
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
- University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio
Jeremy M. Riedesel, M.S.
- University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio
Dongmei Lan, M.S.
- Center for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
Bin Huang, Ph.D.
- Division of Adolescent Medicine, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
- University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio
- Center for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
Susan L. Rosenthal, Ph.D.
- Division of Adolescent and Behavioral Health, University of Texas, Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, Texas

Received 23 June 2005; accepted 24 July 2005.

Abstract

Purpose

The objective of this study was to examine pediatrician characteristics and attitudes associated with intention to recommend two hypothetical human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines.

Methods

A survey instrument mailed to a random sample of 1000 pediatricians assessed provider characteristics, HPV knowledge, and attitudes about HPV vaccination. Intention to administer each of two HPV vaccines types (a cervical cancer/genital wart vaccine and a cervical cancer vaccine) to girls and boys of three different ages (11, 14, and 17 years) was assessed. Linear mixed modeling for repeated measures and multivariable linear regression models were performed to identify variables associated with intention to recommend vaccination.

Results

The mean age of participants (n = 513) was 42 years and 57% were female. Participants were more likely to recommend vaccination to girls vs. boys and older vs. younger children, and were more likely to recommend a cervical cancer/genital wart vaccine than a cervical cancer vaccine (p < .0001). Variables independently associated with intention to recommend a cervical cancer/genital wart vaccine were: higher estimate of the percentage of sexually active adolescents in one’s practice (β .084, p = .002), number of young adolescents seen weekly (β 1.300, p = .015), higher HPV knowledge (β 1.079, p = .015), likelihood of following the recommendations of important individuals and organizations regarding immunization (β .834, p = .001), and fewer perceived barriers to immunization (β −.203, p = .001).

Conclusions

Vaccination initiatives directed toward pediatricians that focus on modifiable predictors of intention to vaccinate, such as HPV knowledge and attitudes about vaccination, may facilitate adherence to emerging national immunization guidelines.

Keywords: Pediatrician , Intention , Human papillomavirus , Vaccine