This research focuses on men who have sex with men (MSM) who are at higher risk of anal cancer. The survey will evaluate their beliefs about anal and oral cancer, their knowledge about role of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection in these cancers, and their knowledge of HPV vaccination and anal Pap smears. Approximately 12% of subjects will be HIV-positive.
Little research has examined men's understanding of what causes anal and oral cancers and whether HPV vaccination can play a potential protective role. This research focuses on men who have sex with men (MSM) who are at notably elevated risk of anal cancer, and seeks to characterize their beliefs about anal and oral cancer, knowledge about the etiological role of HPV infection in these cancers, as well as their knowledge of HPV vaccination and anal Pap smears. We will also study heterosexual men.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
609
Willingness to Receive the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine
Measured participants' willingness to receive HPV vaccine. Participants were asked how willing they would be to get HPV vaccine if it were approved for use in males. A 5-point scale ranging from "definitely not willing" to "definitely willing" was used to meausure willingness.
Time frame: at time of interview
Awareness of HPV Vaccine
Measured if participants had heard of HPV vaccine prior to survey. Participants were asked if they had heard to HPV vaccine prior to the survey and had response options of "yes", "no", and "I don't know".
Time frame: At time of interview
Knowledge of HPV
Assessed participants' knowledge of HPV by summing correct responses to nine HPV knowledge items. Questions addressed what diseases are associated with HPV, how HPV is transmitted, and how common HPV infection is. For each item, participants were classified as having answered the item correctly or incorrectly.
Time frame: At time of interview
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