What Men Who Have Sex With Men Think About the Human Papillomavirus Vaccine
Abstract
This study aimed to ascertain the attitudes of men who have sex with men (MSM) to the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine and to determine the age at which MSM would be willing to ask for the HPV vaccine in relation to their age of sexual debut. Of 205 MSM attending the Melbourne Sexual Health Centre between December 2007 and January 2008, 200 (98%; median age 27 years) completed the study questionnaire. Only 30% were aware that there was a vaccine available for protection against infection with certain HPV types. When informed of the increased risk of anal cancer among MSM, 47% of MSM indicated that they would be willing to pay $A450 for the vaccine course. A total of 93% indicated that they would be willing to disclose that they were MSM to a health professional in order to obtain the vaccine for free, but not until a median age of 20 years: 2 years after the median age of sexual debut (18 years) and after a median of 15 sexual partners. If the HPV vaccine is targeted to MSM, the challenge will be for MSM to be vaccinated before they acquire HPV infection.
Introduction
Studies have demonstrated a high prevalence of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection among men who have sex with men (MSM), together with an increased risk for anal cancer linked to infection with high-risk HPV types. Although there have not as yet been any published studies demonstrating the efficacy of the HPV vaccine in preventing anal cancer, it is plausible that the vaccine would be protective.
While a number of studies have examined the acceptability of HPV vaccination among females, we are not aware of any that examine the acceptability of this vaccine among MSM. The aim of this study is to provide data on the attitudes of MSM to the HPV vaccine. Furthermore, we aim to determine the age at which MSM first become sexually active, the age at which they would have felt comfortable disclosing their sexuality to a healthcare provider in order to receive the vaccine and the number of sexual partners they had had by this time to assess the likelihood of exposure to HPV infection prior to vaccination.
Abstract and Introduction
Abstract
This study aimed to ascertain the attitudes of men who have sex with men (MSM) to the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine and to determine the age at which MSM would be willing to ask for the HPV vaccine in relation to their age of sexual debut. Of 205 MSM attending the Melbourne Sexual Health Centre between December 2007 and January 2008, 200 (98%; median age 27 years) completed the study questionnaire. Only 30% were aware that there was a vaccine available for protection against infection with certain HPV types. When informed of the increased risk of anal cancer among MSM, 47% of MSM indicated that they would be willing to pay $A450 for the vaccine course. A total of 93% indicated that they would be willing to disclose that they were MSM to a health professional in order to obtain the vaccine for free, but not until a median age of 20 years: 2 years after the median age of sexual debut (18 years) and after a median of 15 sexual partners. If the HPV vaccine is targeted to MSM, the challenge will be for MSM to be vaccinated before they acquire HPV infection.
Introduction
Studies have demonstrated a high prevalence of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection among men who have sex with men (MSM), together with an increased risk for anal cancer linked to infection with high-risk HPV types. Although there have not as yet been any published studies demonstrating the efficacy of the HPV vaccine in preventing anal cancer, it is plausible that the vaccine would be protective.
While a number of studies have examined the acceptability of HPV vaccination among females, we are not aware of any that examine the acceptability of this vaccine among MSM. The aim of this study is to provide data on the attitudes of MSM to the HPV vaccine. Furthermore, we aim to determine the age at which MSM first become sexually active, the age at which they would have felt comfortable disclosing their sexuality to a healthcare provider in order to receive the vaccine and the number of sexual partners they had had by this time to assess the likelihood of exposure to HPV infection prior to vaccination.
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