HPV in young men who have sex with men: preliminary findings from the HYPER Study
Participants were seen at baseline, 3, 6 and 12 months. At each visit anal, perianal, penile, and oral swabs and oral gargle were obtained. Serum was collected for HPV serology. Seventy nine participants were enrolled between September 2010 and May 2011. The median age of first oral sex and first anal intercourse were 16 and 17 respectively and the median number of lifetime male sex partners was 11 (range 1-150). Seventy two percent reported condom use at last receptive anal intercourse. Most had heard of HPV before with half indicating they would not pay A$400 for the HPV vaccine. However, 90% indicated they would be willing to disclose their sex with men to a GP if HPV vaccination were free for homosexually active men. Of the 39 participants for whom HPV results are available, 46% had any HPV type detected at the anus while 15% had HPV 16 detected at the anus.
We will continue enrolment and expect to provide data on early acquisition of HPV infection in young homosexual and bisexual men, which should help to determine if effective, targeted HPV vaccination of this group is likely to be achievable.
