The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #58366

Diane Tider¹, Jeffrey T. Parsons, PhD², and David S. Bimbi, MA¹. (1) CHEST, Hunter College-CUNY, 250 West 26th Street, Suite 300, New York, NY 10001, 212-206-7919 x239, dtider@hunter.cuny.edu, (2) Psychology Department, Hunter College of the City University of New York, 695 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10021

OBJECTIVES: To examine knowledge and misinformation about Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and genital warts and differences in sexual risk practices. METHODS: Self-report surveys assessing history of HPV/genital warts and sexual risk behaviors were completed by 1072 gay/bisexual men in New York City. RESULTS: Of the 208 men reporting a history of HPV, genital warts, or both (19.4% of the total sample), the majority (68.3%, n = 142) reported having warts but NOT HPV, thus demonstrating inaccurate knowledge of their STD. A significantly (p = .004) greater percentage of men who reported both HPV and warts (HPV+) reported having unsafe sex compared to men reporting neither (HPV-) and men reporting having warts but not HPV (HPV+ uninformed) (47%, 32%, and 28%, respectively). Additionally, HPV+ and HPV+ uninformed men reported significantly (p = .001) more male non-primary sex partners in the past three months compared to the HPV- men (Means = 10.17, 11.16, and > 6.25, respectively). CONCLUSION: Findings indicate that many gay/bisexual men, a population at great risk for HPV, are misinformed about its various permutations. Further, men who are HPV+ report increased sexual risk practices and more sexual partners. Comprehensive gay men's health programs must include HPV education. HPV+ men need a better understanding of their own sexual health, while HPV- men need to know about their high risk factors and any vaccines that become available. HPV uninformed men may need additional education about the nature of their STD and the fact that it is HPV that causes genital warts.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of this paper, the participant will be able to:
• List sexual risk differences between men with and without HPV.
• Describe misinformation held by some gay/bisexual men regarding the link between HPV and genital warts.
• Identify implications for health education of gay/bisexual men.

Keywords: STD, Gay Men

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.