Acceptability of HPV vaccine among a national sample of gay and bisexual men.
OBJECTIVE
Due to higher rates of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and anal cancer among gay and bisexual men, we aimed to characterize their willingness to get HPV vaccine and identify correlates of vaccine acceptability.


METHODS
We surveyed a national sample of men aged 18 to 59 who self-identified as either gay (n = 236) or bisexual (n = 70) during January 2009. We analyzed data using multivariate logistic regression.


RESULTS
Most men had heard of HPV vaccine (73%, 224/306) and were willing to get it (74%, 225/306). HPV vaccine acceptability was higher among men who believed their doctor would recommend getting the vaccine (OR = 12.87, 95% CI: 4.63-35.79) and those who were unsure (OR = 3.15, 95% CI: 1.47-6.76), as compared to men who believed their doctor would not recommend it. Acceptability was also higher among men who reported 5 or more lifetime sexual partners (OR = 3.39, 95% CI: 1.34-8.55), perceived greater severity of HPV-related disease (OR = 1.92, 95% CI: 1.18-3.14), perceived higher levels of HPV vaccine effectiveness (OR = 1.97, 95% CI: 1.27-3.06), or reported higher levels of anticipated regret if they did not get vaccinated and later developed an HPV infection (OR = 2.39, 95% CI: 1.57-3.61).


CONCLUSIONS
HPV vaccine acceptability was high among gay and bisexual men. These findings identify potentially important beliefs and attitudes for future communication efforts about HPV and HPV vaccine among gay and bisexual men.
Reiter
Paul L
PL
Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, University of North Carolina Gillings School of Global Public Health, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7440, USA. preiter@email.unc.edu
Brewer
Noel T
NT
McRee
Annie-Laurie
AL
Gilbert
Paul
P
Smith
Jennifer S
JS
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001727:Bisexuality; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D018451:Homosexuality, Male; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D027383:Papillomaviridae / Q000276:immunology*; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D053918:Papillomavirus Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D014611:Vaccination / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult
D053918:Papillomavirus Vaccines