HPV knowledge, attitudes and preventive practices among clinical and non-clinical hospital employees: A cross-sectional study.
Abstract
Objective
To evaluate human papillomavirus (HPV) knowledge, attitudes, and preventive practices among clinical and non-clinical hospital employees, and to identify factors associated with HPV knowledge and vaccination uptake. STUDY
Design
Cross-sectional study including 225 employees from a Portuguese tertiary hospital between October 2025 and May 2026. Data were collected using an anonymous online questionnaire assessing sociodemographic characteristics, HPV knowledge, screening behaviours, and vaccination status. An HPV Knowledge Score (KS) was developed and standardised to a 0-10 scale. Group comparisons and multivariable logistic regression were performed to identify determinants of vaccination.
Results
Participants were predominantly female (92.9 %) and 68.9 % working in clinical field. Mean KS was 8.18 ± 1.63 and higher in clinical than non-clinical staff (8.68 vs. 7.09; p < 0.001). In multivariable analysis, higher KS was associated with vaccination status. Among unvaccinated participants, 68.6 % were willing to be vaccinated; willingness was associated with younger age (p < 0.001) but not KS (p = 0.157). Main barriers were lack of medical recommendation (43.8 %), limited National Health Service availability (33.1 %), and financial constraints (17.4 %). Confidence in vaccine safety was associated with higher KS but not willingness to vaccinate (p = 0.098).
Conclusions
HPV knowledge among hospital employees was heterogeneous, with lower scores among non-clinical staff. HPV knowledge among hospital employees was heterogeneous, with lower scores among non-clinical staff. Higher knowledge was associated with vaccination uptake but not vaccination intention. These findings support integrated institutional strategies combining education, healthcare provider recommendation, and improved vaccine accessibility, can increase vaccination uptake, although their effect on uptake cannot be established from these cross-sectional data.