title: Perceptions of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection and acceptability of HPV vaccine among men attending a sexual health clinic differ according to sexual orientation.
abstract: Our aim was to gain a better understanding of the knowledge about Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection and attitudes toward the HPV vaccine among men at risk for sexually transmitted infections (STI). A self-administered questionnaire was completed by attendees of the largest STI Center in Rome, Italy, from April to June 2013. Determinants of vaccine acceptability were investigated using a Structured Equation Model. A total of 423 males participated in the survey: 296 (70.0%) men who have sex with men (MSM) and 127 (30.0%) men who have sex with women (MSW). Only one half of the participants knew that HPV is the cause of genital warts (56.9% of MSM vs. 49.5% of MSW, p=0.28). Even less were aware that HPV causes cancer in men (37.2% vs. 27.3%, p=0.08). MSW were more likely to indicate HPV as a cause of cervical cancer (80.8% vs. 69.3%, p=0.03) and to have heard about the vaccine (58.3 vs. 43.6%, p=0.01). Moreover, 72.1% of MSM and 70.3% of MSW were willing to be vaccinated. A rise of one-unit in the HPV awareness score increased the OR of vaccine acceptability among MSM by 25% (OR 1.25, 95%CI: 1.05-1.49; p=0.013). Differently, only attitudes had a relevant effect on willingness to be vaccinated among MSW (OR 3.32, 95%CI: 1.53-7.17; p=0.002). Efforts should be made to maximize awareness of HPV, especially as a causative agent of genital warts and male cancers, and to reinforce positive attitudes toward vaccination among men visiting STI centers.
authors.affiliation: a STI/HIV Unit, UOC Dermatologia Infettiva e Allergologica, San Gallicano Dermatological Institute (IRCCS) , Rome , Italy.
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Giuliani
authors.affiliation: b Infectious, Parasitic and Immunomediated Diseases Department , Istituto Superiore di Sanità , Rome , Italy.
authors.forename: Maria Fenicia
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Vescio
authors.affiliation: a STI/HIV Unit, UOC Dermatologia Infettiva e Allergologica, San Gallicano Dermatological Institute (IRCCS) , Rome , Italy.
authors.forename: Maria Gabriella
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Donà
authors.affiliation: a STI/HIV Unit, UOC Dermatologia Infettiva e Allergologica, San Gallicano Dermatological Institute (IRCCS) , Rome , Italy.
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Latini
authors.affiliation: a STI/HIV Unit, UOC Dermatologia Infettiva e Allergologica, San Gallicano Dermatological Institute (IRCCS) , Rome , Italy.
authors.forename: Mirko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Frasca
authors.affiliation: a STI/HIV Unit, UOC Dermatologia Infettiva e Allergologica, San Gallicano Dermatological Institute (IRCCS) , Rome , Italy.
authors.forename: Manuela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Colafigli
authors.affiliation: c Circolo Mario Mieli -NGO , Rome , Italy.
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Farinella
authors.affiliation: b Infectious, Parasitic and Immunomediated Diseases Department , Istituto Superiore di Sanità , Rome , Italy.
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rezza
authors.affiliation: a STI/HIV Unit, UOC Dermatologia Infettiva e Allergologica, San Gallicano Dermatological Institute (IRCCS) , Rome , Italy.
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cristaudo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D053918:Papillomavirus Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D012384:Rome; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014611:Vaccination / Q000523:psychology*
chemical_list: D053918:Papillomavirus Vaccines
keywords: Human Papillomavirus (HPV); Men who have sex with men; Men who have sex with women; acceptability; vaccine