Women have a preference for their male partner to be HPV vaccinated

Human papillomavirus vaccine coverage in male-male partnerships attending a sexual health clinic in Melbourne, Australia

We aimed to investigate the sexual mixing by human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination status in male-male partnerships and estimate the proportion of male-male partnerships protected against HPV. We analyzed male-male partnerships attending the Melbourne Sexual Health Center between 2018 and 2019. Data on self-reported HPV vaccination status were collected. Newman’s assortativity coefficient was used to examine the sexual mixing by HPV vaccination status. Assortativity refers to the tendency of individuals to have partners with similar characteristics (i.e. same vaccination status). Of 321 male-male partnerships where both men reported their HPV vaccination status, 52.6% (95% CI: 47.0–58.2%) partnerships had both men vaccinated, 32.1% (95% CI: 27.0–37.5%) partnerships had only one man vaccinated, and 15.3% (95% CI: 11.5–19.7%) had both men unvaccinated. The assortativity on HPV vaccination status was moderate (assortativity coefficient = 0.265, 95% CI: 0.196–0.335). There were about 15% of male-male partnerships where both men were not protected against HPV. Interventions targeting vaccinated individuals to encourage their unvaccinated partners to be vaccinated might increase the HPV vaccine coverage.

Factors associated with HPV vaccination initiation among United States college students

Human papillomavirus (HPV) remains the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the U.S. despite widespread availability of a safe, effective vaccine. Although young adults are at greatest risk of HPV infection, extensive vaccine promotion and intervention efforts has been directed toward 11-12-year-olds. College students represent an ideal audience for HPV vaccine "catch-up;" however, research indicates inconsistent HPV vaccination rates within this demographic. An online survey assessing HPV and HPV vaccine knowledge and behaviors was distributed to all undergraduate college students at a large, public university in the Deep South region of the U.S. The primary outcome was receipt of HPV vaccination (binary response options of Yes/No). Logistic regression analyses were performed to determine predictors of HPV vaccination. Of the 1,725 who completed the survey, 47.0% reported having received at least one dose of HPV vaccine; overall series completion (series = 3 doses for this population) was 17.4%. The primary outcome was HPV initiation among college students, defined as having received at least one dose of the HPV vaccine. Results indicated substantial gaps in participants' knowledge of their vaccination status. Provider and parental recommendations as well as social influences were shown to significantly impact student vaccination status, emphasizing the importance of incorporating these elements in future interventions, potentially as multi-level strategies. Future college interventions should address HPV and vaccination knowledge and the importance of provider and parental recommendations.

Influencers and preference predictors of HPV vaccine uptake among US male and female young adult college students

Objective

The purpose of the study was to assess the knowledge, attitudes and beliefs of male and female college students in Kentucky about HPV associated diseases and vaccines, and to determine which parameters predicted self-reported uptake of HPV vaccination.

Materials and methods

A self-selected cross-sectional sample of college students completed an evidence-based online survey.

Results

Of approximately 1200 potential respondents, 585 completed the survey. The average age was 20.6 (SD 3.15) and 78% were female; 84% of the population had had one or more sexual partners. Concern for HPV vaccine safety and potential need for boosters did not significantly deter vaccine uptake. Likewise, knowledge about HPV associated cancers was not predictive of vaccine uptake. On the other hand, parental influence for vaccination was a strong predictor for vaccine uptake (aOR = 5.32, 2.71–13.03), and free vaccine nearly doubled the likelihood of being vaccinated (aOR 1.90, 1.05–3.41). In addition, the strong preference for the respondent's partner to be HPV vaccinated predicted vaccine uptake (aOR = 4.04, 95% CI: 2.31–7.05), but the lack of preference for partner vaccination predicted an unvaccinated self (aOR = 0.50, 0.27–0.93).

Conclusions

HPV vaccination has been successful in young adult college students in Kentucky. Young adults prefer their partners to be HPV vaccinated regardless of whether they themselves are vaccinated. Parental influence and free vaccine were positive predictors for vaccine uptake in this population.

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Young adults have a very strong preference for their partner to be HPV vaccinated.

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Doctors do not influence young college adults’ decisions to be HPV vaccinated.

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Parents are a significant influencer for young adult HPV vaccine uptake.

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Young adults realize need for cervical cancer screening regardless of vaccine.

Prevalence of oral human papillomavirus by vaccination status among young adults (18-30years old)

BACKGROUND

Although there is evidence that human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination may protect against oral HPV infection, no current research has demonstrated this in the general population.

METHODS

We used repeated cross-sectional data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) between 2009 and 2014. Participants 18-30years who indicated whether they had received the HPV vaccine and provided an adequate oral sample were included (N=3040). Oral HPV types were grouped by vaccine-type (types 6, 11, 16, 18) and by risk (high or low risk). Chi-square analyses compared oral HPV prevalence by vaccination status.

RESULTS

Vaccinated adults had a lower prevalence of vaccine-type oral HPV (types 6, 11, 16, 18) compared to unvaccinated adults. Prevalence of non-vaccine high-risk oral HPV was similar between HPV vaccinated and unvaccinated participants.

CONCLUSIONS

HPV vaccination appears to provide protection against vaccine-type oral HPV infection among males and females in the general population.

Human papillomavirus vaccination for men: advancing policy and practice

ABSTRACT 

The quadrivalent HPV vaccine (HPV4) is safe and highly efficacious, and can significantly reduce the burden of HPV-related genital warts and cancers among men, in addition to promoting herd immunity. Nevertheless, HPV4 coverage among boys remains low in most settings. Research to date has focused predominantly on HPV vaccination of girls to prevent cervical cancer. Most countries with publicly funded healthcare where HPV4 is licensed cover the costs of HPV vaccination programs for girls only. We critically review the evidence for extending publicly funded HPV vaccination programs to boys in addition to girls. After an overview of research on HPV prevalence and associated cancers among men, we review cost–effectiveness studies, benefits of universal versus targeted vaccination approaches and multifaceted health equity concerns, along with directions in vaccine delivery programs and intervention research to promote HPV vaccine uptake for boys. Comprehensive evaluation of the systematic exclusion of boys from publicly financed HPV vaccination programs is warranted given tremendous public health implications of new infections and subsequent cancers that could have otherwise been averted.