Human Papillomavirus vaccine knowledge and recommendation practice among primary care providers, Almaty, Kazakhstan–2023
Ablimitova F. Nabirova D. Gazezova S. Smagul M. Kuatbaeva A. Yesmagambetova A. Millman A.J. Horth R.
2026Taylor and Francis Ltd.
Human Vaccines and Immunotherapeutics
2026#22Issue 1
Kazakhstan planned to reintroduce the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine into the national vaccination calendar in 2024 for girls aged 12–14. A 2013 pilot attempt failed due to low acceptance. To inform implementation, we evaluated HPV vaccine knowledge and recommendation practices among primary healthcare workers (HCWs). In April-May 2023, we conducted a cross-sectional survey using convenience sampling among HCWs responsible for vaccination at 5 private and 29 of the largest public polyclinics in Almaty. Participants self-completed anonymous questionnaires. Knowledge scores >70% were considered adequate. We used logistic regression to assess factors associated with intention to recommend HPV vaccines, reporting adjusted odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Among 832 participants, 68% were nurses, and 18% had >20 y experience. One-third (33%) had adequate HPV knowledge, 22% knew HPV has no cure, and 71% understood it is not airborne. One-fifth (20%) could dispel common HPV vaccine myths, 39% dispelled common childhood immunization myths, 61% correctly identified childhood vaccine contraindications, and 58% believed in childhood vaccines’ safety and effectiveness. Overall, 28% would recommend the HPV vaccine to patients or their friends’ children. Doctors were more likely to recommend than nurses (OR = 1.52, 95% CI = 1.06–2.18). Higher recommendation odds were also associated with ability to dispel childhood vaccines myths (OR = 1.47, 95% CI = 1.03–2.07), adequate HPV knowledge (OR = 1.63, 95% CI = 1.14–2.32), belief in vaccine safety (OR = 1.65, 95% CI = 1.12–2.47), and support for vaccinating HCWs (OR = 3.07, 95% CI = 2.11–4.54). HPV-related knowledge and recommendation intent among HCWs were low. Targeted training and communication may improve HPV vaccine uptake in Kazakhstan.
cervical cancer , cross-sectional study , healthcare workers , HPV infection , HPV vaccination , Kazakhstan , papillomavirus vaccine
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Central Asia Field Epidemiology Training Program, Department of Medical and Preventive Care, Asfendiarov Kazakh National Medical University, Almaty, Kazakhstan
Scientific and Practical Center for Sanitary and Epidemiological Expertise and Monitoring, Almaty, Kazakhstan
Division of Global Health Protection in Central Asia, United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Almaty, Kazakhstan
Management Board, National Center of Public Health of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Astana, Kazakhstan
Central Asia Field Epidemiology Training Program
Scientific and Practical Center for Sanitary and Epidemiological Expertise and Monitoring
Division of Global Health Protection in Central Asia
Management Board
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