HPV vaccination in male physicians: A survey of gynaecologists and otolaryngology surgeons’ attitudes towards vaccination in themselves and their patients.

Objective: Attitudes and barriers towards HPV vaccination were explored in a population of male surgeons in Gynecology and Otolaryngology in Ontario, Canada.

Materials/methods: An internet-based survey was distributed to male residents and physicians affiliated with the departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Otolaryngology at six Ontario universities. The survey consisted of 16 questions (3 demographic, 3 workplace exposure, 6 regarding personal vaccination, and 3 regarding patient vaccination). Subgroup analyses examined differences between residents versus staff physicians and gynecologists versus otolaryngologists. 

Results: Most respondents (51/63, 81.0%) had not been vaccinated against HPV, yet would consider vaccination in the future (41/51, 80.4%). Significantly more residents would consider vaccination compared to staff physicians (p = .03). Personal protection from benign HPV disease was the most common motivating factor (25/59, 42.4%) among participants. A notable barrier to vaccination was “age over recommendations” (9/44, 20.4%). Most participants would recommend the HPV vaccine to both male patients (49/62, 79.0%) and male partners of female patients (47/62, 75.8%). 

Conclusions: This study demonstrates male gynecologists and otolaryngologists had largely favorable attitudes towards HPV vaccination though few had received vaccination. These findings may be used to increase HPV vaccine uptake among male health care professionals and their patients.