Title : Perception of HPV Vaccination among healthcare professionals in Morocco: Barriers and strategies for improving public acceptance
Abstract:
This survey, conducted in Morocco with 642 healthcare professionals (including doctors, pharmacists, nurses, midwives, and health educators), aimed to understand perceptions of HPV vaccination in preventing cervical cancer. The objective was to identify resistances and the causes of non-accessibility among the population. Methods included face-to-face surveys and questionnaires distributed via Google Forms.
Results: 67% of healthcare professionals identified communication as a major issue, both among professionals and the general population. 49% noted insufficient awareness and increased reluctance following COVID-19 vaccination experiences, citing concerns about vaccine tolerance. Media Influence nited by 82%: Media reports on vaccine risks contributed to public hesitancy, and 37% mentioned that the concept of prevention through vaccination was not well integrated into local cultural practices.
Discussion: A benchmark comparison was made with Western countries, Middle Eastern countries, and North African countries to identify points of concordance and discordance. The goal was to propose strategies to increase vaccination rates, now part of Morocco’s national immunization program.
Conclusion and Perspectives: Strategic recommendations were made to improve public acceptance and adherence to vaccination, emphasizing the crucial role of healthcare professionals in these efforts. This pilot study sets the stage for a broader survey targeting the general population, specifically parents of adolescents and schoolteachers, to further understand and address vaccination hesitancy.
Keywords: HPV vaccination, cervical cancer prevention, healthcare professionals, public awareness, Morocco
