Women have a preference for their male partner to be HPV vaccinated.
BACKGROUND
Peer influence and social networking can change female adolescent and young adult behavior. Peer influence on preferences for male human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination has not been documented. The primary aim of this study was to determine if women had preferences about male sexual partner HPV vaccination receipt.


RESULTS
A prospective survey of women 18-26 years of age was conducted at an urban university student health clinic. Education about the two HPV vaccines, cervical cancer and genital warts was provided. Women self-reported their demographic and medical history data, as well as their own preferences for HPV vaccine and their preferences for their male partner HPV vaccine using a 5 point Likert scale. 601 women, mean age of 21.5 years (SD 2.4), participated between 2011 and 2012. Nearly 95% of respondents were heterosexual; condoms and contraceptives were used in over half of the population. Regardless of the woman's vaccination status, women had significantly higher (strongly agree/agree) preferences for the male partner being vaccinated with HPV4 than not caring if he was vaccinated (63.6% vs. 13.1%, p<0.001). This preference was repeated for sexual risk factors and past reproductive medical history. Women who received HPV4 compared to those choosing HPV2 had a significantly lower proportion of preferences for not caring if the male partner was vaccinated (13% vs. 22%, p = 0.015).


CONCLUSIONS
Women preferred a HPV vaccinated male partner. Peer messaging might change the male HPV vaccination uptake.
Department of Biomedical and Health Informatics, University of Missouri Kansas City School of Medicine, Kansas City, Missouri, United States of America; Department of Community and Family Medicine, University of Missouri Kansas City School of Medicine, Kansas City, Missouri, United States of America; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Missouri Kansas City School of Medicine, Kansas City, Missouri, United States of America.
Diane Medved
DM
Harper
Department of Family Medicine, Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences, Kansas City, Missouri, United States of America.
Natalie Marya
NM
Alexander
Department of Community and Family Medicine, University of Missouri Kansas City School of Medicine, Kansas City, Missouri, United States of America.
Debra Ann
DA
Ahern
University of Missouri Kansas City Student Health and Wellness, University of Missouri-Kansas City, Kansas City, Missouri, United States of America.
Johanna Claire
JC
Comes
University of Missouri Kansas City Student Health and Wellness, University of Missouri-Kansas City, Kansas City, Missouri, United States of America.
Melissa Smith
MS
Smith
University of Missouri Kansas City Student Health and Wellness, University of Missouri-Kansas City, Kansas City, Missouri, United States of America.
Melinda Ann
MA
Heutinck
University of Missouri Kansas City Student Health and Wellness, University of Missouri-Kansas City, Kansas City, Missouri, United States of America.
Sandra Martin
SM
Handley
D000328:Adult; D003218:Condylomata Acuminata / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D027383:Papillomaviridae / Q000276:immunology*; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000276:immunology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D053918:Papillomavirus Vaccines / Q000276:immunology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012747:Sexual Partners / Q000523:psychology*; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control; D014930:Women / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult
D053918:Papillomavirus Vaccines