Global Type-Specific Genital Human Papillomavirus Prevalence in Men, by Sexual Orientation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Johannes M A Kusters, Jesca G M Brouwer, Birgit H B van Benthem, Janneke C M Heijne, Maarten F Schim van der Loeff

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

2 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Knowledge on genital type-specific human papillomavirus (HPV) prevalence among men is important for prevention of HPV-related cancers and other diseases. Men who have sex with men (MSM) have higher anal prevalence than men who have sex with women only (MSW) but for genital HPV this is unclear. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of type-specific genital HPV prevalence among men, by sexual orientation.

METHODS: MEDLINE and Embase were used for searching publications reporting on male genital HPV prevalence with data from November 2011 onwards. A random-effects meta-analysis was conducted estimating pooled type-specific and grouped external genital and urethral HPV prevalence. Subgroup analyses were conducted for sexual orientation.

RESULTS: Twenty-nine studies were eligible. Of those, 13 studies reported prevalence among MSM, 5 among MSW, and 13 studies did not stratify by sexual orientation. The most common genotypes were HPV-6 and HPV-16 for both anatomical locations, although heterogeneity was high. HPV prevalence was similar among studies reporting on MSW, MSM, and men with unknown sexual orientation.

CONCLUSIONS: Genital HPV is common among men, with HPV-6 and HPV-16 being the most common genotypes. Type-specific HPV genital prevalence appears to be similar among MSM and MSW, which contrasts with earlier findings on anal HPV.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1023-1032
Number of pages10
JournalThe Journal of Infectious Diseases
Volume228
Issue number8
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 15 Oct 2023

Keywords

  • Female
  • HIV Infections/epidemiology
  • Homosexuality, Male
  • Human Papillomavirus Viruses
  • Human papillomavirus 16
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Papillomaviridae/genetics
  • Papillomavirus Infections/epidemiology
  • Prevalence
  • Risk Factors
  • Sexual Behavior
  • Sexual and Gender Minorities
  • Sexually Transmitted Diseases

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