Study: One In Three Men Globally Infected With Genital HPV

In a recent study published in The Lancet Global Health, it was discovered that “almost one in three men worldwide are infected with at least one genital human papillomavirus (HPV) and that approximately one in five men are infected with one or more HR-HPV types.” While the prevalence of HPV in women is well known, little is known about the virus’ prevalence in men. The study’s objective was to determine the prevalence of genital HPV in men.

Researchers found 5685 publications for the study through database searches, of which 65 studies (including 44 769 men) from 35 countries were included. ” For any HPV and HR-HPV, the global pooled prevalence was 31% (95% CI 27-35).

The most common HPV genotype was HPV-16 (5%, 95% CI 4-7), followed by HPV-6 (4%, 3-5). The prevalence of HPV was high in young adults, peaking between the ages of 25 and 29 years, and then stabilizing or slightly declining after that. For the UN Sustainable Development Goal regions of Europe and Northern America, Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Australia and New Zealand (Oceania), the combined prevalence estimates were comparable. Eastern and South-Eastern Asia’s estimates were half as high as those for the other continent.

“Almost one in three men worldwide are infected with at least one genital HPV type and around one in five men are infected with one or more HR-HPV types. Our findings show that HPV prevalence is high in men over the age of 15 years and support that sexually active men, regardless of age, are an important reservoir of HPV genital infection. These estimates emphasise the importance of incorporating men in comprehensive HPV prevention strategies to reduce HPV-related morbidity and mortality in men and ultimately achieve elimination of cervical cancer and other HPV-related diseases.”