Human Papillomavirus Knowledge, Attitudes, Practices, and Prevalence Among Men Who Have Sex With Men in Monrovia, Liberia

Abstract

Objective The aim of this study was to assess human papillomavirus (HPV) prevalence, knowledge, attitudes, and practices, among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Monrovia, Liberia. Materials and Method This cross-sectional study was conducted with 107 MSM, aged 18 to 58 years, completing questionnaires and anal HPV screenings. Using peer-educators and direct community involvement, demographics, risk factors, and HPV knowledge data were collected. Results Forty-eight participants (45%) were HPV positive and 21 participants (19.6%) self-identified as HIV positive. When examining HPV risk factors, 22 participants reported first sexual experience before the age of 15 years. Approximately half of participants (n = 58, 54.2%) have receptive anal sex and 40 (37.4%) reported more than 20 lifetime sexual partners. Eight participants (7.5%) had no formal education and 80 (74.8%) were not formally employed. Two-thirds of participants (64%) had never heard of HPV. Education was not significantly correlated with HPV knowledge. χ2 tests of independence were performed, and the relation between oral and anal sex and HPV knowledge was significant (χ2 (1) = 5.08, p < .05; χ2 (1) = 4.18, p < .05), respectively, such that those who engaged in oral and anal sex had lower levels of HPV knowledge. Conclusions Among the MSM population, HPV prevalence is high, as are high-risk practices. Participants lack HPV knowledge, independent of educational achievement, and are eager to receive educational information. Future studies should focus on identifying additional risk factors and implementing public health educational interventions.

High Prevalence of Anal Oncogenic Human Papillomavirus Infection in Young Men Who Have Sex with Men Living in Bamako, Mali

“…The prevalence of anal HPV was particularly high in this sample of MSM from the Bamako’s community. The high prevalence of anal HR-HPV in our study MSM appeared quite similar to the prevalence reported in MSM living in Liberia, Togo, South Africa, Central African Republic and Nigeria, ranging from 45% to 72% [ 10 – 13 , 15 , 18 ], but lower than the prevalence reported in young Black American MSM (87%) [ 23 ]. Other reports conducted outside Africa showed relatively high anal HR-HPV prevalence rates, ranging from 29% to 56% [ 24 – 27 ].…”

“…High prevalences of anal HR-HPV infections in MSM living in West Africa, including Burkina Faso [ 12 ], Liberia [ 13 ], Mali [ 12 ], Nigeria [ 11 , 14 ], Togo [ 15 ], and Senegal [ 16 ], have been reported. Since the epidemiological situation of HPV infection in MSM may be specific in a given area [ 7 ], with implication on prophylactic HPV vaccine efficacy, we herein designed a cross-sectional study to assess the prevalence and genotypes distribution of anal HPV and associated risk factors, including sexual behavior, in a population of HIV-infected and non-HIV-infected MSM living in Bamako, the capital of Mali.…”

Anogenital Human Papillomavirus and HIV Infection in Rwandan Men Who Have Sex With Men

“… 27 Our finding of an overall HIV prevalence of 19.4% is consistent with that found in a study in Monrovia, Liberia, where they found a self-reported prevalence of 19.6% among MSM. 28 However, 1 study in Taiwan found 4% HIV prevalence in a community-based population of MSM, consistent with our finding. 7 …”

Awareness and acceptance of HPV vaccination for condyloma acuminata among men who have sex with men in China

“…Our data coincide with several studies indicating that most men are unaware that genital warts are caused by HPV infection. 26 Forty-six percent of MSM from the US, 27 25% of MSM from Haiti, 28 43.0% of MSM from Liberia 29 and 40.4%-63.7% of MSM from China 17 , 19 knew that HPV infection is the cause of genital warts. In addition, 56.0% (505/902) of MSM in this study stated that they had heard of the HPV vaccine.…”