MP37-17: Prevalence of HPV awareness among young sexually active male

Francesco Esperto, Francesco Prata*, Francesco Tedesco, Alberto Ragusa, Noemi Deanesi, Antonio Testa, Angelo Civitella, Piergiorgio Tuzzolo, Luca Romei, Vito Giuseppe Crimi, Loris Cacciatore, Gerardo Paolo Flammia, Antonio Alcini, Annamaria Salerno, Rome, Italy, Salvatore Mario Prata, Sora, Italy, Roberto Mario Scarpa, Rocco Papalia, Rome, Italy

Introduction: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a sexually transmitted infection, potentially responsible of several cancers, and its prevalence is still rising among people. Despite several screening programs and initiatives to encourage HPV vaccination have been adopted, in 2021 the majority of sexually active young males who get access to the hospital for an outpatient visit has a poor baggage of information regarding its existence, transmission and consequences. Vaccination programs have recently been extended to include males, with the aim of improving HPV infection control in the population and to directly prevent HPV-related disease, such as oropharyngeal tumors or anal and penile cancers. Information of younger people about HPV prevalence and risk factors can chase the future for early diagnosis and prevention. Aim of this study is to assess the prevalence of HPV vaccination among sexually active young male patients undergoing urology outpatients clinic and their knowledge about HPV

Methods: We prospectively collected data and analyzed of male patients who got access to our hospital for an outpatient visit. People selected were from 18 to 35 years old, sexually active (at least one sexual intercourse per week with 1 or more partners). Exclusion criteria were: elder patients (>35 years). A questionnaire about HPV and vaccination was administered by an urology resident to all patients enrolled in this study, asking them to answer five main questions:

1) Do you know about the existence of HPV and its consequences?
2) How can HPV be transmitted?
3) Is you partner aware about HPV? Has she done HPV vaccination?
4) Do you know about the existence of HPV vaccinations for males ?
5) Did you get vaccination for HPV?

Results: 50 males were questioned about their sexual habits and questionnaires administered. One (2%) patient was vaccinated for HPV and had a good knowledge about the topic. Just 5 patients (10%) knew about the existence of a HPV vaccinations for males. 20 patients (40%) knew that HPV is a sexually transmitted infection and have heard it from a previous partner. 10 patients (20%) knew about possible consequences of HPV infection.

Conclusions: Despite the HPV has become widespread among sexually active population, young people are unaware of possible vaccination and risk related to this infection. Implementation strategies to raise consciousness about HPV should be started

Source of Funding: None