WACC II-15HPV VACCINATION INTENTION AMONG MALE CLIENTS OF A LARGE STI OUTPATIENT CLINIC IN AMSTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS

05. HPV prophylactic vaccines
E. Marra 1, C.J. Alberts 1, G. Zimet 2, T. Paulussen 3, T. Heijman 1, A. Hogewoning 1, G. Sonder 1, H. Fennema 1, H. De Vries 4, M. Schim Van Der Loeff 1.
1Department of Infectious Diseases, Public Health Service Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands (Netherlands), 2Section of Adolescent Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States of America (United States), 3Expertise Center Child Health, Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research (TNO), Leiden, The Netherlands (Netherlands), 4Department of Dermatology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands (Netherlands)

Background / Objectives

In the Netherlands only girls are offered vaccination against human papillomavirus (HPV). Men can become infected with HPV as well, and can develop HPV-induced diseases like genital and oral warts, penile, oropharyngeal and anal cancer. We studied the intention to get vaccinated against HPV, and determinants of intention among male clients of the sexually transmitted infections (STI) clinic in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.


Methods

Men aged ≥18 years were recruited from the STI clinic and asked to complete a web-based survey addressing HPV vaccination intention, measured on a 7-point Likert scale (-3 to 3), with the assumption of free vaccination; knowledge about HPV; socio-psychological determinants of HPV vaccination intention; demographics; and sexual behavior. The selected socio-psychological factors were derived from the Theory of Planned Behaviour and Social Cognitive Theory. Univariable and multivariable linear regressions were performed to assess determinants of HPV vaccination intention. Multivariable analysis, using backward elimination, was performed in two steps: univariably associated socio-psychological factors (P<0.05) were entered in the first step, and socio-demographics in the second step. In this second step, all significant variables of the first step remained in the model, regardless of their significance in the second model.


Results

Between June and October 2015, 1490 men participated; 1053 (71%) were men who have sex with men (MSM). The median age was 33 years (IQR 25-44); MSM were significantly older than heterosexual men (P<0.001). The median HPV knowledge score was 5 (IQR: 4-6) of a maximum of 7. HPV vaccination intention was very high (median: 3 [IQR: 2-3]). In multivariable analysis attitude, self-efficacy, descriptive norm, subjective norm, anticipated regret, and beliefs were significantly associated with HPV vaccination intention (R2=0.70). Age, sex group and the number of sex partners in the preceding 6 months also appeared to be associated with HPV vaccination intention, but adding these to the model did not substantially increase R2 (R2=0.70).


Conclusion

HPV vaccination intention among male clients of the Amsterdam STI clinic is very high. Most of the variance in HPV vaccination intention among men can be explained by socio-psychological factors. These data suggest that if HPV vaccination for men would be offered at STI clinics for free, uptake would be very high.


References