HPV Vaccine and College-Age Men: A Scoping Review

Abstract

The human papillomavirus (HPV) potentially affects every sexually active man in the United States and Canada. In 2017, the vaccine became publicly funded in Canada for males ages 9–26, and was integrated into school vaccination programs. In 2019, HPV vaccination was recommended as routine for all U.S.-based males and females ages 9 through 26, and a shared decision for adults >26 years; however, since the approval of the vaccine in 2006 for females only, the age and dosing recommendations for males have followed a complicated and changing trajectory. Current adherence rates are low among college and university age males (18–26 years); therefore, understanding and addressing the barriers and facilitators for men’s HPV vaccination is critically important. The purpose of the current scoping review is to provide a synthesis of recent literature pertaining to HPV in college and university age men, as a means to guiding health-care providers (HCPs). Drawing from 15 published articles, three thematic findings were inductively derived. Theme one, lack of awareness, was underpinned by men’s knowledge deficits about their eligibility for, and the availability of HPV vaccines. Theme two, underestimating and embodying risk, included men’s engagement in sexual activities while misinformed or denying the risk for contracting HPV. The third theme, strategies for increasing men’s awareness, summarizes messaging strategies used to lobby young men to vaccinate. The review findings indicate gender-sensitive interventions targeting college-age men, including early, frequent, and consistent messaging on HPV are key.

Knowledge and Awareness of Human Papillomavirus Vaccination and Cervical Cancer among Men and Women in Japan: A Questionnaire Survey

“…HPV vaccination for men has been reported to not only inhibit the spread of HPV infection with sexual contact but also prevent HPV-related diseases (Spînu et al, 2021). Therefore, several countries such as Australia recommend HPV vaccination for men to achieve eradication of cervical cancer and HPV-related diseases (Hall et al, 2019;Laserson et al, 2020). In the case of Japan, HPV vaccination for men was covered by the National Health Insurance as of 2020 (MSD, 2021).…”

Feminized Virus: A Content Analysis of Social Media’s Representation of HPV Vaccine

“…For instance, they believed that men are “biologically wired to think more about sex than women are,” thought “males can just be more reckless with their sexual actions,” and considered college women to be “more mature at this point in their lives.” This may consequently cause young men to overlook their vulnerability to negative sexual outcomes. A scope review by Laserson et al (2020) indicated that male HPV vaccine adherence in the United States and Canada is still low among young males ages 18–26 years old. A meta-analysis of 39 studies on knowledge of HPV and HPV vaccine, the intention to vaccinate, and HPV vaccination uptake among male college students also suggested that it is necessary to further increase the knowledge about HPV and HPV vaccine uptake among college men in the United States (Kasymova, 2022).…”

HPV testing in Iranian men

“…However, HPV infection is usually presented as a subclinical form in men, resulting in a large number of asymptomatic carriers. [ 1 2 3 4 5 ] It is frequently observing HPV as a sexually transmitted infection is increasing in Iranian men and Middle East countries. Existing data suggested that diagnosed HR-HPV genotypes might not have clinical manifestations on men.…”

“…The risk of genital and ano-genital neoplasia in women will have been declining using HPV testing and vaccination of men. [ 1 4 5 ]…”

“…Scientific results have revealed the most frequent observed cancer in men are firstly anal cancers (more than 90%), then oropharyngeal (12-63%) and penile cancers (36-40%). [ 1 4 5 ] Multiple types are obviously detected in subjects with multi sexual partners who are having considerable influence on infection transmission.…”