Knowledge among males participating in a Cognitive and Emotional Response to an HPV-diagnosis Study (CER Study)

Background

HPV, the most common sexually transmitted virus in the U.S., can lead to genital warts and ano-genital cancers among males and females. However, because there is no routine screening test for males, research about HPV knowledge among males is scarce.

Purpose

To assess HPV knowledge among males and to determine if there is a difference in knowledge by HPV diagnosis.

Methods

Males completed a computer-assisted-survey instrument (CASI) that assessed their cognitive and emotional responses to an HPV diagnosis. The knowledge scale consisted of 20 items and a score ranging from 0-20 (higher score indicating greater knowledge) was tabulated. Items were adapted from a previous survey administered to females and were piloted tested among males in 2007.

Results

Of the 116 males who completed the survey, 37 self-reported being HPV+, 59 self-reported being HPV-; the remaining 20 were unsure of their diagnosis. Out of 20 knowledge items, HPV+ males scored a mean of 16.6 (SD=2.2), HPV- males 15.6 (SD=2.1); those who were unsure of their test result scored 15.2 (SD=2.6). Males who were HPV-/unsure scored significantly lower (p<0.05) than HPV+ males. For some items 98% of the males correctly answered the question; for other items as few as 23% correctly answered the question.

Conclusion

Males play a central role in transmitting HPV; however they are often not the recipients of HPV prevention efforts. Ascertaining HPV knowledge among males and including them in future educational interventions can be an important part of decreasing HPV infections and cervical cancer.