Overview of knowledge, attitudes and barriers associated with HPV vaccination in Beirut, Lebanon

Background: Human Papillomavirus (HPV), a prevalent sexually transmitted infection carrying significant risks ranging from benign lesions to various types of malignancies, represents a matter of great public health concern. Notably, most Arab countries lack public awareness campaigns or national imm...

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Main Authors: Lauren Hourani, Macy Zaatar, Jawad Hoballah, Kamil Kadi, Maria Yasmine, Hussein Hijazi, Natalie Estelly, Jad Mrad, Miran A. Jaffa
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2024-12-01
Series:Global Public Health
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Online Access:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/17441692.2024.2356626
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author Lauren Hourani
Macy Zaatar
Jawad Hoballah
Kamil Kadi
Maria Yasmine
Hussein Hijazi
Natalie Estelly
Jad Mrad
Miran A. Jaffa
author_facet Lauren Hourani
Macy Zaatar
Jawad Hoballah
Kamil Kadi
Maria Yasmine
Hussein Hijazi
Natalie Estelly
Jad Mrad
Miran A. Jaffa
author_sort Lauren Hourani
collection DOAJ
description Background: Human Papillomavirus (HPV), a prevalent sexually transmitted infection carrying significant risks ranging from benign lesions to various types of malignancies, represents a matter of great public health concern. Notably, most Arab countries lack public awareness campaigns or national immunization programs. This study aims at assessing the overall knowledge on HPV and HPV vaccination among the Lebanese population, exploring the prevalent attitude on the matter, and identifying barriers and misconceptions that prevent individuals from receiving the HPV vaccine.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Beirut, on 201 participants aged between 18 and 36 years old. We performed ordinal analysis to assess the trend between Knowledge levels, attitude levels and hesitancy Levels.Results: Majority of participants (77%) demonstrated a low level of knowledge on HPV vaccination, 50% held a positive attitude, with only 18.4% being already vaccinated. Negative trend was identified between levels of knowledge, attitude and hesitancy (gamma = −0.7415, p-value < 0.01; gamma= −0.58, p-value < 0.01 respectively). Unavailability or limited access to the vaccine, and misconceptions about HPV immunization were shown to be impeding vaccination.Conclusion: Analysis of our results strongly suggests that improving knowledge and attitudes is likely to foster trust and reduce hesitancy, thereby promoting higher vaccine uptake.
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spelling doaj-art-df2abd50881d4738b6d5a83ceb461f762024-12-03T19:27:47ZengTaylor & Francis GroupGlobal Public Health1744-16921744-17062024-12-0119110.1080/17441692.2024.2356626Overview of knowledge, attitudes and barriers associated with HPV vaccination in Beirut, LebanonLauren Hourani0Macy Zaatar1Jawad Hoballah2Kamil Kadi3Maria Yasmine4Hussein Hijazi5Natalie Estelly6Jad Mrad7Miran A. Jaffa8Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, LebanonEpidemiology and Population Health Department, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut, LebanonFaculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, LebanonFaculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, LebanonFaculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, LebanonFaculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, LebanonFaculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, LebanonFaculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, LebanonEpidemiology and Population Health Department, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut, LebanonBackground: Human Papillomavirus (HPV), a prevalent sexually transmitted infection carrying significant risks ranging from benign lesions to various types of malignancies, represents a matter of great public health concern. Notably, most Arab countries lack public awareness campaigns or national immunization programs. This study aims at assessing the overall knowledge on HPV and HPV vaccination among the Lebanese population, exploring the prevalent attitude on the matter, and identifying barriers and misconceptions that prevent individuals from receiving the HPV vaccine.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Beirut, on 201 participants aged between 18 and 36 years old. We performed ordinal analysis to assess the trend between Knowledge levels, attitude levels and hesitancy Levels.Results: Majority of participants (77%) demonstrated a low level of knowledge on HPV vaccination, 50% held a positive attitude, with only 18.4% being already vaccinated. Negative trend was identified between levels of knowledge, attitude and hesitancy (gamma = −0.7415, p-value < 0.01; gamma= −0.58, p-value < 0.01 respectively). Unavailability or limited access to the vaccine, and misconceptions about HPV immunization were shown to be impeding vaccination.Conclusion: Analysis of our results strongly suggests that improving knowledge and attitudes is likely to foster trust and reduce hesitancy, thereby promoting higher vaccine uptake.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/17441692.2024.2356626Human papillomavirus (HPV)HPV vaccinationHPV knowledgeHPV attitudeHPV hesitancy
spellingShingle Lauren Hourani
Macy Zaatar
Jawad Hoballah
Kamil Kadi
Maria Yasmine
Hussein Hijazi
Natalie Estelly
Jad Mrad
Miran A. Jaffa
Overview of knowledge, attitudes and barriers associated with HPV vaccination in Beirut, Lebanon
Global Public Health
Human papillomavirus (HPV)
HPV vaccination
HPV knowledge
HPV attitude
HPV hesitancy
title Overview of knowledge, attitudes and barriers associated with HPV vaccination in Beirut, Lebanon
title_full Overview of knowledge, attitudes and barriers associated with HPV vaccination in Beirut, Lebanon
title_fullStr Overview of knowledge, attitudes and barriers associated with HPV vaccination in Beirut, Lebanon
title_full_unstemmed Overview of knowledge, attitudes and barriers associated with HPV vaccination in Beirut, Lebanon
title_short Overview of knowledge, attitudes and barriers associated with HPV vaccination in Beirut, Lebanon
title_sort overview of knowledge attitudes and barriers associated with hpv vaccination in beirut lebanon
topic Human papillomavirus (HPV)
HPV vaccination
HPV knowledge
HPV attitude
HPV hesitancy
url https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/17441692.2024.2356626
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