Survey of pediatricians concerning the human papillomavirus vaccine in Japan: Positive attitudes toward vaccination during the period of proactive recommendation being withheld

Figures & data

Table 1. Baseline characteristics of respondents to the two surveys.

	1st	2nd	p-Value^a
	(n= 200)	(n = 190)
Age (years)
30s	8 (4.0)	7 (3.7)
40s	29 (14.5)	25 (13.2)
50s	55 (27.5)	63 (33.2)
60s	81 (40.5)	78 (41.1)
Over 70s	27 (13.5)	17 (9.0)	0.561
Work status
Employed physicians	51 (25.5)	55 (29.0)
Owners of a clinic or a hospital	142 (71.0)	133 (70.0)
Others	7 (3.5)	2 (1.1)	0.246

Data are expressed as n (%). ^a Chi-square test or Fisher’s exact test was used as appropriate.

Table 2. Questionnaire items and distribution of the responses.

		1st		2nd		p-Value^a
Q1 “Which of the following best describes your HPV vaccination status and intentions since the withholding proactive recommendations?”
Vaccinations have continued unchanged thus far.			51	(25.5)	63	(33.2)
Vaccinations were withheld for some time, but have recently been restarted.			38	(19.0)	66	(34.7)
I have refrained from administering vaccinations since recommendation was withheld but will start again when proactive recommendation is resumed.			59	(29.5)	19	(10.0)
I do not intend to administer vaccinations even if proactive recommendation is resumed.			9	(4.5)	10	(5.3)
Others.			43	(21.5)	32	(16.8)	<0.001
Q2 “What is the approximate number of vaccinations you have offered in the last six months?”
1 to 10.			73	(78.5)	81	(59.6)
11 to 30.			13	(14.0)	40	(29.4)
31 to 50.			3	(3.2)	10	(7.4)
51 to 100.			4	(4.3)	4	(2.9)
more than 101.			0	(0)	1	(0.7)	0.013
Q3 “What do you do when girls in the target age group visit your outpatient clinic?”
I try to recommend the vaccine.			65	(32.5)	76	(40.0)
I don’t prompt the vaccine, but I give it to those who ask for it.			68	(34.0)	73	(38.4)
I don’t recommend the vaccine or administer it even if they ask.			28	(14.0)	16	(8.4)
Others.			39	(19.5)	25	(13.2)	0.068
Q4 “What is your general impression of the percentage of people who get the HPV vaccine when it is recommended by their healthcare provider?”
Less than 20%.			42	(55.3)	25	(29.1)
Between 20% and 40%.			11	(14.5)	14	(16.3)
Between 40% and 60%.			9	(11.8)	28	(32.6)
Between 60% and 80%.			9	(11.8)	13	(15.1)
More than 80%.			5	(6.6)	6	(7.0)	0.005
Q5 “Do you have any concerns about the HPV vaccine compared to other vaccines?”
Not at all.			54	(27.1)	61	(32.3)
Almost no concerns.			74	(37.2)	87	(46.0)
Some concerns.			54	(27.1)	30	(15.9)
Many concerns.			15	(7.5)	9	(4.8)
Others.			2	(1.0)	2	(1.1)	0.048
Q6 “What concerns do you have about HPV vaccination? ” (Multiple answers are acceptable)
Local symptoms, such as temporary pain and swelling at the injection site and anxiety about the vagus reflex.			37		20
Anxiety about a wide variety of symptoms, as repeatedly reported in the media.			46		24
Concerns about the effectiveness of the HPV vaccine.			5		2
Others.			9		5
Q7 “Do you encourage family members who are eligible to get the HPV vaccine?”
Yes.			167	(83.5)	175	(92.1)
No.			7	(3.5)	2	(1.1)
No idea.			24	(12.0)	9	(4.7)
Others.			2	(1.0)	4	(2.1)	0.013

Data are expressed as n (%). ^a Chi-square test or Fisher’s exact test was used as appropriate.

Table 3. Attitude toward the HPV vaccine among pediatricians.

		n	(%)	p-Value^a
[A] Currently administering the HPV vaccine.^b	1st	89	(44.5)
	2nd	129	(67.9)	<0.001
[B] Positive attitude toward the HPV vaccine.^c	1st	148	(74.0)
	2nd	148	(77.9)	0.369
[C] No or almost no concern about the HPV vaccine.^d	1st	128	(64.3)
	2nd	148	(78.3)	0.004

^aChi-square test or Fisher’s exact test was used as appropriate.

^b[A] is defined as “Vaccinations have continued unchanged thus far.” plus ” Vaccinations were withheld for some time, but have recently been restarted.” in Q1, Table 2.

^c[B] is defined as [A] plus “I have refrained from administering vaccinations since recommendation was withheld, however, I will start again when proactive recommendation is resumed.” in Q1, Table 2.

^d[C] is defined as “Not at all.” plus “Almost no concerns.” in Q5, Table 2.