264146 Why Should the HPV Vaccine Matter to Men? A Comparison of Four Psychosocial Studies of HPV in Men

Monday, October 29, 2012 : 10:45 AM - 11:00 AM

Eric R. Buhi, MPH, PhD , Department of Community and Family Health, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
Ellen Daley, PhD , Community and Family Health, University of South Florida College of Public Health, Tampa, FL
Stephanie L. Marhefka, PhD , Department of Community and Family Health, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
Cheryl A. Vamos, PhD, MPH , Department of Community and Family Health, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
Stephanie K. Kolar, MSPH , Community and Family Health, University of South Florida College of Public Health, Tampa, FL
Erica Hesch Anstey, MA, CLC , 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
Natalie D. Hernandez, MPH , Department of Community and Family Health, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
Christopher Wheldon, MSPH, MEd , Department of Community and Family Health, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
Judith Syfrett, MPH , Department of Community and Family Health, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
Background: HPV has become identified as a female-only issue, since its role in cervical cancer was established years ago, and the HPV vaccine was initially approved for females-only. Its role in men's health is not well-defined, despite recent vaccine approval for men. We compare findings from four HPV studies in men. Methods: Men in a longitudinal HPV natural-history study (HPV Study) completed psychosocial surveys; the HPV vaccine was approved for men during data collection. Three related studies recruited men in undergraduate courses (College Study), MSM men (MSM Study), and minority men attending university (Minority Study). Results: HPV Study participants' vaccine intentions were high: 91% reported they were very likely/likely to get the vaccine if it became available for men, but dropped to 59% by the 4th visit. Among men who completed their final visit after vaccine approval (n=279), 1% (n=2) reported receiving the vaccine. Fewer men in the College (5%), MSM (12%), and Minority (21%) studies intended to get the vaccine. Barriers to vaccination varied: cost (66%) and side effects (63%) were the most commonly reported in the HPV Study, while not knowing about HPV (57%) or the HPV vaccine (67%), not being at risk for HPV (49%), side effects (58%) and cost (49%) were variously identified as barriers to vaccination in the other studies. Conclusions: Lack of awareness and misconceptions about perceived risk of HPV are among reasons few men receive the HPV vaccine. Health messages targeted to HPV infection and prevention in men should be public health priorities.

Learning Areas:
Advocacy for health and health education
Public health or related research
Social and behavioral sciences

Learning Objectives:
1. Describe barriers to HPV vaccine intentions among men in four related psychosocial studies 2. Identify reasons why HPV has been identified as a concern for females-only. 3. Describe reasons why HPV should be a health concern for men.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am an Investigator on all four studies.
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.

Back to: 3156.0: Male sexual health: HPV vaccines for boys