Human papillomavirus vaccination of males: attitudes and perceptions of physicians who vaccinate females.
OBJECTIVE
We assessed U.S. physicians' attitudes and perceptions regarding potential human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination of males.


METHODS
We surveyed a random sample of 2,714 pediatricians and family practitioners identified in administrative claims of a U.S. health plan as HPV vaccinators of females; 595 pediatricians and 499 family practitioners participated.


RESULTS
Most physicians would recommend HPV vaccination to males aged 11-12 (63.9%), 13-18 (93.4%), and 19-26 (92.7%) years. Physicians agreed that males should be vaccinated to prevent them from getting genital and anal warts (52.9% strongly and 36.0% somewhat) and to protect females from cervical cancer (75.3% strongly and 20.8% somewhat). Physicians agreed that an HPV vaccine recommendation for males would increase opportunities to discuss sexual health with adolescent male patients (58.7% strongly, 35.3% somewhat). Most did not strongly agree (15.4% strongly, 45.4% somewhat) that parents of adolescent male patients would be interested in HPV vaccination for males, that a gender-neutral HPV vaccine recommendation would increase acceptance by adolescent females and their parents (19.6% strongly, 42.0% somewhat), or that a gender-neutral recommendation would improve current female vaccination rates (10.4% strongly, 26.0% somewhat).


CONCLUSIONS
Physicians who currently vaccinate females against HPV supported the concept of vaccinating males for its benefits for both sexes. They agreed that a gender-neutral HPV vaccination recommendation would be appropriate with regard to public health and believed that it would increase opportunities for sexual health discussions, but were less sure that such a recommendation would change patient or parental attitudes toward HPV vaccination or improve current HPV vaccination efforts.
Weiss
Thomas W
TW
Global Health Outcomes, Merck & Co., Inc., 770 Sumneytown Pike, West Point, PA 19486-0004, USA. thomas_weiss@merck.com
Zimet
Gregory D
GD
Rosenthal
Susan L
SL
Brenneman
Susan K
SK
Klein
Jonathan D
JD
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002648:Child; D003218:Condylomata Acuminata / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D053918:Papillomavirus Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology; D012737:Sex Factors; D055815:Young Adult
D053918:Papillomavirus Vaccines