196944 Acceptability of HPV vaccine among gay and bisexual men

Tuesday, November 10, 2009: 11:10 AM

Paul L. Reiter, PhD , Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC
Noel T. Brewer, PhD , Health Behavior and Health Education, UNC-Chapel Hill, School of Public Health, Chapel Hill, NC
Annie-Laurie McRee, MPH , Maternal and Child Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC
Paul A. Gilbert, MSPH , Health Behavior and Health Education, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC
Jennifer S. Smith, PhD , Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC
Background: Gay and bisexual men have a high prevalence of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and are at high risk of HPV-related cancers, notably anal cancer.

Objective/Purpose: Characterize acceptability of HPV vaccine among gay and bisexual men and identify correlates of acceptability.

Methods: We surveyed men aged 18 to 59 who self-identified as either gay (n=201) or bisexual (n=63) and participated in a national, Internet-based survey panel. Data were analyzed using t-tests and linear regression.

Results: Overall, 55% of participants indicated they would probably or definitely be willing to get HPV vaccine. This percentage dropped to 34% when participants learned the vaccine may be less effective following sexual initiation. Acceptability was higher among gay men compared to bisexual men and increased when participants learned HPV vaccine may prevent certain cancers (oral, anal, or penile) and genital warts, as opposed to only genital warts (p<0.05). Higher perceived HPV vaccine effectiveness, perceived severity of HPV-related diseases, and perceived likelihood of getting an HPV-related disease were associated with greater acceptability (p<0.05). Participants more concerned about possible vaccine-induced health problems had lower levels of acceptability (p<0.05).

Discussion/Conclusions: HPV vaccine was accepted by most gay and bisexual men, especially if the vaccine would offer protection against both cancer and genital warts. If HPV vaccine is approved for use in males, the identified correlates may provide modifiable targets for interventions designed to increase uptake among gay and bisexual men.

Supported in part by a research grant from the Merck IISP program and ACS.

Learning Objectives:
By the end of the session, the participant will be able to: 1) Describe acceptability of HPV vaccine among gay and bisexual men 2) Describe how acceptability of the vaccine differs according to beliefs about the vaccine 3) Identify correlates of HPV vaccine acceptability among gay and bisexual men

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am a member of the research team conducting this study and assisted with study design, data analysis, interpretation of the results, and drafting this abstract.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

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