Provider perceptions of HPV immunization in rural Appalachian Kentucky

Objective: Provider recommendation for the HPV vaccine is vital to its dissemination. This pilot study assessed rural Appalachian primary care providers' attitudes toward recommending and promoting the HPV vaccination. The study also determined whether there is a difference between practices and attitudes between physicians and other health care providers. Methods: A convenience sample of 30 allopathic and osteopathic physicians, advanced registered nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and certified nurse practitioners were surveyed. Survey data was collected in person at the offices of medical providers to assess their attitudes toward and typical practice in recommending the HPV vaccine. Questions related to attitudes toward and the practice of offering the HPV vaccine to patients and their parents used a 5-point scale where 1=always, 2=almost always, 3=half the time, 4=seldom, and 5=never. Results: Descriptive findings suggest that physicians may or may not follow guidelines for recommending the HPV vaccine to age-eligible young women. For example, the means response score for recommending to parents that they have their age-eligible daughter vaccinated against HPV was “about half of the time.” Physicians were less likely to talk about sex with the parents of female patients.