244887 HPV-related stigma among men receiving HPV test results

Tuesday, November 1, 2011: 9:10 AM

Christopher Wheldon, MSPH, MEd , Department of Community and Family Health, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
Stephanie Kolar, MSPH , Department of Epidemiology, University of South Florida College of Public Health, Tampa, FL
Natalie D. Hernandez, MPH , Department of Community and Family Health, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
Elizabeth Baker, MPH, CPH , Department of Community and Family Health, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
Judith Ebbert, MPH, BS, RN , Department of Community and Family Health, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
Erica Hesch Anstey, MA, CLC , Department of Community and Family Health, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
Eric R. Buhi, MPH, PhD , Department of Community and Family Health, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
Anna Giuliano, PhD , Program Leader: Risk Assessment, Detection, and Intervention, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL
Stephanie L. Marhefka, PhD , Department of Community and Family Health, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
Ellen Daley, PhD , Center for Transdisciplinary Research on Women's Health, Department of Community and Family Health, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
     
Introduction: Sexually transmitted infections are often socially stigmatizing. Those infected may experience feelings of shame and guilt, which can have deleterious effects on mental health. The objective of the current study was to identify psychosocial correlates of HPV-related stigma among men testing positive for HPV. Methods: Men participating in a natural history study who were HPV-positive (n=190) completed a psychosocial questionnaire. A 6-point agree/disagree scale measured feelings of HPV-related stigma across 6 domains (α=.87). Higher scores indicate greater feelings of stigma. Theoretical correlates from the Parallel-Processing Model were regressed on HPV-related stigma. Results: On average, participants experienced a moderate amount of HPV-related stigma (M=2.24, SD=1.32). Stigma was associated with perceived susceptibility (β=0.37, p=.00) and perceived severity of genital warts (β=0.15, p=.03). Conversely, having a main sex partner was negatively associated with stigma (β=-0.20, p=.00). Having had symptoms of HPV infection was a relatively strong correlate of stigma, though not statistically significant (β=0.13, p=.07). The model explained 29% of the variance in HPV-related stigma (adjusted R2=.25). HPV knowledge and demographic characteristics were not statistically significant correlates. Conclusion: The results of this study have implications for the disclosure of HPV and other STI test results. Whereas males are not routinely tested for HPV, as women are, the recent approval of the HPV vaccine for males will increase awareness of the infection. Discussing how the infection may affect future sex partners though ensuring a realistic understanding of genital warts may help to alleviate feelings of stigma.

Learning Areas:
Social and behavioral sciences

Learning Objectives:
1. Describe HPV-related stigma experienced by men testing positive for HPV. 2. Identify psychosocial correlates of experiencing HPV-related stigma. 3. Explain how the Parallel-Processing Model can be used to help understand emotional responses associated with receiving STI test results.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am a doctoral student focused in the area of men's sexual health behaviors and I have been working on various aspects of this study since the fall of 2009.
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.

See more of: Issues Related to HPV infection and Vaccination
See more of: Population, Reproductive and Sexual Health