Healthcare providers' knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding occupational exposure to human papillomaviruses

Occupational exposure to human papillomaviruses (HPV) poses a potential health risk to healthcare providers, yet preventive awareness and behaviors remain unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of healthcare providers toward occupational exposure to HPV.

This cross-sectional study was conducted between October 2023 and February 2024 at the First Affiliated Hospital of the Medical College of Shantou University. The participants included healthcare providers in gynecology, dermatology, or coloproctology departments. A self-designed questionnaire was employed to collect demographic characteristics and assess KAP toward occupational exposure to HPV. The exploration of the relationships between KAP was performed through Structural Equation Modeling (SEM).

This study enrolled 1059 participants with a mean age of 34.76 ± 9.56 years. Most participants were female (77.90%), with a bachelor's degree (46.55%). The mean KAP scores were 19.96 ± 6.20 (possible range: 0-28), 20.84 ± 2.62 (possible range: 6-30), and 24.43 ± 6.50 (possible range: 8-40). In the SEM analysis, knowledge positively influenced attitude (β = 0.171, P < 0.001), and practice (β = 0.091, P = 0.016). Attitude positively influenced practice (β = 0.254, P = 0.001).

Healthcare providers demonstrated a moderate knowledge, attitude, and practice towards occupational HPV exposure. Educational and training activities should be implemented to enhance the KAP of healthcare providers toward occupational HPV exposure.