Human papillomavirus-related psychosocial impact of patients with genital warts in China: a hospital-based cross-sectional study

Abstract

BackgroundGenital warts (GW) are the most common sexually transmitted infections. To date, few studies using a human papillomavirus (HPV)-specific questionnaire have focused on the impact of quality of life (QoL) among patients with GW in developing countries. The origins of GW related psychosocial burdens and variations between genders were poorly characterized as well.MethodsA hospital-based survey was conducted in Beijing and Nanjing of China in 2008. Eligible patients aged 18–65 who had a diagnosis of GW within 3 months were recruited. Demographic information, HPV knowledge, and assessment of psychosocial burden were collected by the HPV Impact Profile (HIP). The HIP examined 7 specific psychosocial domains by 29 items: (1) worries and concerns, (2) emotional impact, (3) sexual impact, (4) self-image, (5) partner and transmission, (6) interactions with physicians, and (7) control/life impact. HIP scores are reversely relates to the subjects’ QoL, by which a higher score indicating a heavier psychosocial burden.ResultsPatients with GW experienced heavier psychosocial burdens than those of the general population, and females experienced heavier burdens than males (male vs. female: 49.20 vs.51.38, P < 0.001). “Self Image” and “Sexual Impact” were the two domains that affected patients the most, with mean HIP scores of 63.09 and 61.64, respectively. Women suffered heavier psychosocial burdens than men in the domain of “Worries and Concerns” (female vs. male: 54.57 vs. 42.62, P < 0.001), but lower psychosocial burdens in the domains of “Sexual Impact” (female vs. male: 59.16 vs. 65.26, P < 0.001) and “Interactions with Doctors” (female vs. male: 34.40 vs. 41.97, P < 0.001). Patients from Nanjing suffered a higher psychosocial burden than those of Beijing, especially in domains of “Emotional Impact”, “Sexual Impact”, “Partner and Transmission”, and “Interactions with Doctors”.ConclusionsPatients with GW suffered heavy psychological burden, and self-image and sexual-related concern were the primary cause of burdens. It’s important to change the current biomedical model to bio-psycho-social model, and establish psychosocial support systems. The distinctions of origins of psychosocial burden between genders identified will be informative for prevention of GW and control efforts in China and other similar settings.

Quality of Life for Women with Human Papillomavirus-induced Lesions

“…26 Thus, one of the most significant characteristics found in women diagnosed with HPV is the genital change, which may not only cause pain and bleeding in sexual intercourse but also shame and embarrassment, which could lead to marital problems. 17,27,28 Thus, legitimating the findings of the present study, the distrust and the risk of infidelity were also pointed out by Jeng et al 29 as possible causes of conflict with the partner because they believed that alleged extramarital affairs could be the source of the infection.…”

Human papillomavirus vaccine acceptability among female undergraduate students in China: the role of knowledge and psychosocial factors

“…The HIP questionnaire was developed recently, which specifically evaluated the psychosocial burden of HPV. Previous researchers (Wang et al 2010, Qi et al 2014, have undertaken studies in Chinese women residing in Taiwan and mainland using a Chinese version of the HIP. The HIP contains seven functional constructs with 29-items: worries and concern (nine items), emotional impact (five items), sexual impact (two items), self-image (four items), partner issues and transmission (three items), interactions with doctors (three items) and control/life impact (three items).…”

Local Management of Anogenital Warts in Non-Immunocompromised Adults: A Network Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

“…With an overall prevalence rate of around 1-5%, they are one of the most common sexually transmitted infections [2]. AGWs are usually asymptomatic, but they can be painful or pruritic and can cause significant psychosocial distress depending on size and location [3,4]. Numerous HPV vaccination campaigns have been conducted, but few studies have demonstrated their efficacy in reducing the number of AGWs [5].…”