The Greeks lack information about the human papillomavirus (HPV) in relation to its prevention and treatment. Indicative are the results of a survey conducted by the Civil Non-Commercial Society “KARKINAKI-Information on Cancer in Children and Adolescents” in cooperation with the Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Outcomes of Diseases-CLEO entitled “Knowledge, perceptions and practice of the general population regarding the human papillomavirus (HPV)”.

The survey involved 1006 people with an average age of 38 years. Almost 1/3 of the sample believe they know enough about the human papillomavirus (HPV), and 13.2% heard about HPV for the first time thanks to this survey. About 6 out of 10 participants know that HPV infection is not uncommon, but 8 out of 10 mistakenly believe that HPV will definitely show up in a Pap smear, or do not know about it.

In terms of transmission, 77.8% of participants know that both men and women can transmit the virus, but only ¼ of the sample knows that HPV is also transmitted by simple skin contact, while a high percentage (40.7%) mistakenly believes that HPV is transmitted through the blood.

Regarding HPV exposure, more than half of the participants answered “don’t know” to questions regarding HPV’s association with cancer of the anus, penis, and mouth/pharynx.

Of the 1,006 participants, 637 were parents (63.3% of the sample), and of these, the majority (81.2%) stated that they had not vaccinated any of their children against HPV. In fact, one in four did not know they should have their children vaccinated against HPV, and 6.5% said their pediatrician had advised them not to do so for boys.

The protection provided by the vaccine and the frequency of HPV infection were found to be the main factors influencing the decision of parents to vaccinate their children, which were also considered the most important in terms of the decision to vaccinate the parents themselves.

The discussion, hosted by KARKINAKI, highlighted the health value of prevention and the importance of the HPV vaccine, which causes cancer in men and women.

Irini Agapidaki, Secretary General of Public Health, in a debate organized by CARKINAKI, stressed the need for national prevention programs for all citizens, regardless of their place of residence, origin, socioeconomic and educational level. He referred to the National Cervical Cancer Screening Program and Fofi Gennimata National Breast Cancer Prevention Program, the first public prevention program in our country.

Kostas Daloukas, president of the Panhellenic Federation of Professional Pediatricians, called the active and critical role of the pediatrician in informing parents about the vaccination of children as one of the strongest preventive measures. He also emphasized that the Panhellenic Federation of Freelance Pediatricians is an ally of all efforts to inform and raise awareness about the human papillomavirus (HPV).

Source: RES-EMI