Negative emotions and stigma associated with a human papillomavirus test result: A comparison between human papillomavirus-positive men and women.
Human papillomavirus has largely been framed as a women's health issue, and the psychosocial impact of human papillomavirus among men remains unclear. In this study, we found that women infected with human papillomavirus (n = 154) experienced a greater degree of negative emotions and stigma than human papillomavirus-infected men (n = 190). Among women, younger age and less education were associated with greater expression of negative emotions and stigma. Conversely, being single was significantly associated with a greater degree of negative emotions and stigma beliefs among men. These findings suggest the need to re-frame messages that both men and women receive regarding human papillomavirus.
University of South Florida, USA edaley@health.usf.edu.
Ellen M
EM
Daley
University of South Florida, USA.
Cheryl A
CA
Vamos
University of South Florida, USA.
Christopher W
CW
Wheldon
University of South Florida, USA.
Stephanie K
SK
Kolar
University of South Florida, USA.
Elizabeth A
EA
Baker
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D027383:Papillomaviridae; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology*; D012737:Sex Factors; D057545:Social Stigma; D055815:Young Adult
cancer; health education; men’s health; sexual health; women’s health