Trends in HPV and HPV Vaccine Awareness among Gay and Bisexual Males in the U.S

• Published in: Vaccines (Basel) Vol. 10; no. 4; p. 604
• Main Authors: Chidobem, Ikechukwu, Tian, Fan, Ogbuokiri, Esther, Mgbodile, Francis, Mgbodile, Chisom, Jokar, Tahereh Orouji, Shah, Muhammad Ahsan, Pierre-Louis, Frantz
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 13.04.2022; MDPI
• Subjects: bisexual; Bisexuality; Cancer; Cervical cancer; Cervix; Condyloma acuminatum; Education; Ethnicity; gay; Health risks; Hispanic people; HIV; HPV; HPV awareness; HPV vaccine; HPV vaccine awareness; Human immunodeficiency virus; Human papillomavirus; Immunization; Infections; Males; Population; Secondary schools; Sexual orientation; Sexually transmitted diseases; Sociodemographics; STD; Trends; Vaccination; Vaccines; Warts; Womens health; United States > US; HPV awareness; HPV vaccine; HPV vaccine awareness; gay; bisexual; HPV
• ISSN: 2076-393X; 2076-393X
• DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10040604

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States (US). It is often discussed within the context of women's sexual health due to its association with cervical cancer. However, HPV is also associated with other cancers and conditions which affect men. Gay and bisexual males (GBM) in the US have higher risks of HPV infection and a higher incidence of HPV-associated anal cancer than heterosexual males. In addition, GBM in the US have a higher prevalence of some high-risk strains of HPV than in other regions. HPV vaccination is highly effective at preventing HPV-associated cancers and genital warts. Several resources have been directed towards improving HPV awareness in the US over the past couple of years to improve vaccination rates. Given the low rates of HPV vaccination among GBM in the US, this study aimed to assess the trends in HPV and HPV vaccine awareness using a nationally representative sample of GBM. We found an overall increase in HPV and HPV vaccine awareness between 2017 and 2020. However, the sociodemographic differences in awareness levels highlight the need for more interventions to improve vaccination rates, especially in this high-risk population.