Vaccination HPV: principes, résultats et perspectives

Awareness and Knowledge of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Infection and Vaccine Among Women: A Cross-Sectional Study in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Background This study evaluated the comprehension and awareness of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and vaccination among women in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Methods A cross-sectional study included 696 female respondents from Jeddah between the ages of 18 and 60. Ethical approval and informed consent were obtained before administering the questionnaire through social media. The data collected included social demographic information and information about HPV and vaccination. Results According to the results, only 332 respondents (47.70%) demonstrated good knowledge about HPV. Less than half (47.84%) were aware of the HPV vaccine. However, a slightly higher percentage (53.02%) would be willing to receive the vaccination if it were free. Individuals who were not willing to accept the vaccine believed it had side effects (25.70%), was unsafe (19.92%), or was unnecessary as HPV was a rare infection (17.55%). Demographic variables, such as educational level and occupation, were found to be predictors of HPV knowledge since their corresponding p-values were statistically significant. Conclusion It is crucial to raise awareness about HPV and its vaccine among adult women in Jeddah due to the alarmingly low levels of knowledge and awareness. The importance of HPV vaccination must be emphasized repeatedly to ensure that this critical information is understood and acted upon. Overall, there is low knowledge and awareness about HPV and its vaccine among adult women in Jeddah. Therefore, it is imperative to increase awareness while reiterating the importance of HPV vaccination.

Awareness of primary health care physicians about human papilloma virus infection and its vaccination: a cross-sectional survey from multiple clinics in Saudi Arabia

Background

The incidence of human papilloma virus (HPV) infections in conservative populations is increasing, yet vaccination is not routinely recommended by primary health care (PHC) physicians. The aim of this study is to evaluate PHC physicians’ awareness of HPV infections and vaccination in Saudi Arabia.

Materials and methods

A self-administered survey was conducted in 2017 at eleven PHC clinics in Saudi Arabia. Their knowledge on HPV infections (six statements) and HPV vaccines (ten statements), their perceived importance of HPV vaccine, and if they recommended this vaccine to their patients was evaluated. Knowledge scores were summated and commuted into percentage mean scores (PMS). Analyses were conducted to identify factors associated with these outcomes.

Results

Almost 80% of physicians perceived HPV vaccine as necessary and important, while 33 (16.5%) actually recommend HPV vaccine to their patients. Overall PMS± standard deviation of knowledge on HPV infections and vaccine was 61.8±10.4 and 91.3±11.4, respectively. Female physicians had a better perception of the importance of the vaccine (94; 84.7%), compared to male physicians (65; 73.0%), P=0.043. Younger physicians (<38 years) had better perception of the importance of HPV vaccine (75; 88.2%), compared to older physicians (≥38 years) (84; 73%), P=0.009. Family medicine physicians were more knowledgeable about both HPV infections (62.1±9.7) and HPV vaccine (91.2±12.0), compared to physicians of other specialties (56.3±13.7 and 85.8±10.2), P=0.03 and P=0.007, respectively. PHC physicians who routinely recommended HPV vaccine were also more knowledgeable (96.7±5.4), P=0.005. Compared to males, females were 3.1 times more likely to recommend HPV vaccines, adjusted P=0.015. Physicians who had better perception of the importance of vaccine were 4.8 times more likely to recommend vaccination, adjusted P=0.042.

Conclusion

Enhancing PHC physicians’ knowledge about HPV infections and the efficiency of its vaccine boosts the physicians’ confidence to recommend HPV vaccination. Special consideration should be paid to male PHC physicians and older physicians, who had poorer perception of the importance of HPV vaccines in comparison to their counter groups.

Perspectives for the development of human papillomavirus vaccines and immunotherapy

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection and is responsible for 90-99% of cervical cancer (CxCa) cases. Although effective screening programs have reduced the incidence of CxCa in developed countries, they are often not well organized. Prophylactic vaccination against HPV seems to be a good strategy for the prevention of CxCa. However, because millions of women are already infected with HPV, therapeutic HPV vaccines need to be developed further to treat these women. This review discusses the actual perspectives on both HPV vaccines and immunotherapy worldwide. In addition, some of the perspectives in France are also briefly discussed.

Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis: a review

Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP), which is caused by human papillomavirus types 6 and 11, is the most common benign neoplasm of the larynx among children and the second most frequent cause of childhood hoarseness. After changes in voice, stridor is the second most common symptom, first inspiratory and then biphasic. Less common presenting symptoms include chronic cough, recurrent pneumonia, failure to thrive, dyspnea, dysphagia, or acute respiratory distress, especially in infants with an upper respiratory tract infection. Differential diagnoses include asthma, croup, allergies, vocal nodules, or bronchitis. Reports estimate the incidence of RRP in the United States at 4.3 per 100,000 children and 1.8 per 100,000 adults. Infection in children has been associated with vertical transmission during vaginal delivery from an infected mother. Younger age at diagnosis is associated with more aggressive disease and the need for more frequent surgical procedures to decrease the airway burden. When surgical therapy is needed more frequently than four times in 12 months or there is evidence of RRP outside the larynx, adjuvant medical therapy should be considered. Adjuvant therapies that have been investigated include dietary supplements, control of extra-esophageal reflux disease, potent antiviral and chemotherapeutic agents, and photodynamic therapies; although several have shown promise, none to date has "cured" RRP, and some may have serious side effects. Because RRP, although histologically benign, is so difficult to control and can cause severe morbidity and death, better therapies are needed. The potential for a quadrivalent human papilloma vaccine is being explored to reduce the incidence of this disease.