Sexual health and HPV information-seeking behaviors among males following HPV testing clinic visits

Background: Males play a critical role in HPV transmission, yet lack knowledge on this virus. The CER Study (see companion presentation) has the unique opportunity to assess males' HPV information-seeking behaviors.

Purpose: To examine sexual health/HPV information-seeking behaviors among males participating in a broader study designed to understand individuals' cognitive/emotional responses to an HPV diagnosis.

Methods: 116 males completed a theory-based computer-assisted survey instrument. Questions asked about information-seeking behaviors post-HPV diagnosis.

Results: Although 12% (n = 14) reported wanting more information than what they received post-diagnosis, only 4% called the clinic later to ask questions. Of 25 males who reported going to a person with HPV questions, the most commonly reported source was a friend (76%), followed by a partner (52%), and/or nurse practitioner (48%). However, males more often looked elsewhere for information (n = 28); the Internet was the most common source (82.1%) followed by study pamphlets (60.7%) and books (39.3%). Nearly everyone who went online visited a search engine, most commonly Google, or a specific website such as WebMD. Common reasons provided for needing more information were that they “thought of additional questions later” (78.6%) and “the information was confusing” (14.3%).

Conclusion: The Internet plays an important role in disseminating health information, and research should examine individuals' searching behaviors and assess the quality of information retrieved. Friends/partners are also significant in information diffusion/discussion. When coupled with findings regarding males' disclosure of HPV diagnoses to sexual partners (see companion presentation), these results raise important questions about understanding these exchanges.