To measure HPV prevalence among unvaccinated 16- to 20-year-old sexually active men in Quebec and assess risk factors associated with HPV positivity, specifically targeting this demographic.
Key Findings:
HPV prevalence among participants was 18.4% (95% CI, 14.6%–22.8%).
Only 2 participants (0.5%) harbored a quadrivalent-targeted genotype.
Age, number of lifetime sexual partners, and history of other STIs were associated with HPV positivity.
Interpretation:
The low prevalence of 4vHPV-targeted genotypes among unvaccinated men suggests strong herd immunity effects in Quebec due to high vaccination rates among females, indicating a potential reduction in HPV transmission.
Limitations:
Study limited to unvaccinated males aged 16-20, potentially affecting generalizability.
Self-reported data may introduce bias.
Self-selection bias may affect the representativeness of the sample.
Conclusion:
The findings indicate significant herd immunity effects from the HPV vaccination program in Quebec, necessitating consideration in future evaluations of vaccination schedules.
