Knowledge of human papillomavirus and effects on sexual behaviour of gay/bisexual men: a brief report.
The objective of this study was to examine the knowledge and misinformation about human papillomavirus (HPV) and differences in sexual risk practices. Self-report surveys assessing the history of HPV/genital warts and sexual practices were completed by 1065 gay/bisexual men in New York City. Of the men reporting a history of HPV, genital warts, or both, the majority reported having warts but not HPV, demonstrating inaccurate knowledge. A significantly greater percentage of men who reported both HPV and warts (HPV+) reported having unsafe sex compared with men reporting neither (HPV-) and men reporting warts but not HPV (HPV+ uninformed). HPV+ and HPV+ uninformed men reported significantly more men non-primary sex partners in the past three months than HPV- men. Findings indicate that many gay/bisexual men, a population at risk for HPV, are misinformed about its various permutations. Men who are HPV+ report increased sexual risk practices and more sexual partners. Comprehensive gay men's health programmes must include HPV education.
Tider
D S
DS
Hunter College of the City University of New York, 695 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10021, USA.
Parsons
J T
JT
Bimbi
D S
DS
D001727:Bisexuality; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D018451:Homosexuality, Male / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D027383:Papillomaviridae; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012736:Sex Education; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data