Genital human papillomavirus infection in men: incidence and risk factors in a cohort of university students.
BACKGROUND
In contrast to the wealth of data on human papillomavirus (HPV) infections in women, much less is known about HPV in men.


METHODS
Between June 2003 and March 2006, a total of 240 heterosexually active male university students 18-20 years of age were recruited for participation in a cohort study of HPV infection. Genital cell samples were collected, at 4-month intervals, for HPV-DNA analysis by polymerase chain reaction. The subjects maintained a Web-based journal of sexual activity.


RESULTS
At 24 months, the cumulative incidence of new infection of any genital HPV type was 62.4% (95% confidence interval [CI], 52.6%-72.2%). Acquisition rates did not differ by genital site (i.e., glans, penile shaft, or scrotum) of initial detection (P=.86). The most commonly detected types were HPV-84 and HPV-16. In multivariate analysis, a report of a new sex partner during the prior 0-4 (hazards ratio [HR], 2.0 [95% CI, 1.3-3.0]) and 5-8 (HR, 1.8 [95% CI, 1.2-2.7]) months and a history of smoking (HR, 1.6 [95% CI, 1.1-2.4]) were associated with an elevated risk of HPV acquisition.


CONCLUSIONS
Genital HPV infection is common and multifocal in young men, and its incidence is higher than that reported for similar cohorts of young women. The high rates of HPV infection in men should be considered when strategies for the prevention of HPV infection in female adolescents and young women are being developed.
Partridge
Jeffrey M
JM
Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98103, USA.
Hughes
James P
JP
Feng
Qinghua
Q
Winer
Rachel L
RL
Weaver
Bethany A
BA
Xi
Long-Fu
LF
Stern
Michael E
ME
Lee
Shu-Kuang
SK
O'Reilly
Sandra F
SF
Hawes
Stephen E
SE
Kiviat
Nancy B
NB
Koutsky
Laura A
LA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D052685:Alphapapillomavirus / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D002353:Carrier State / Q000821:virology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003218:Condylomata Acuminata / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005834:Genital Neoplasms, Male / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005837:Genitalia, Male / Q000821:virology*; D020010:Heterosexuality; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008499:Medical Records; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D013334:Students; D014495:Universities; D014861:Washington / Q000453:epidemiology