PrEP patient attitudes, beliefs and perceived barriers surrounding HPV vaccination: a qualitative study of semistructured interviews with PrEP patients in primary care clinics in Kansas and Missouri

Abstract

ObjectivesMen who have sex with men who use pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) have not traditionally been targets for human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine programmes, despite their high risk for HPV-related cancers and HPV vaccine being approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for people up to age 45. The objective of this study was to assess attitudes and barriers towards HPV vaccine for adult PrEP users in the primary care context.MethodsSemistructured phone interviews of 16 primary care patients taking PrEP in the Kansas City metropolitan area were conducted, with interviews assessing HPV vaccination status, and attitudes, beliefs and perceived barriers surrounding HPV vaccine. Interview notes were open-coded by student authors, and themes were generated through code review and consensus. Data were then analysed using thematic analysis.ResultsThe results showed that most patients believed that preventative health was important and felt the HPV vaccine was important. Most patients were open to vaccination if recommended by their primary care physician and covered by insurance. Most participants believed HPV infection to be far worse in women, and there were gaps in knowledge surrounding HPV and its effects in men.ConclusionsWhile more research is needed to better understand facilitators of a linkage between PrEP and HPV vaccine in clinical settings for groups at high risk for HPV-related cancers, getting primary care providers involved in educating high-risk patients about the importance of HPV vaccination and actively recommending the vaccine to those patients has the potential to prevent HPV-related cancers.

Viral Hepatitis and Human Papillomavirus Vaccination During HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis: Factors Associated With Missed Vaccination

“…13 Although vaccine hesitancy has been reported to be less frequent among PrEP users when compared with the general population, there might be uninvestigated factors associated with missing these vaccinations among PrEP users. [14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24] Moreover, understanding which subgroups among PrEP users require focus regarding the offer of these vaccinations might help clinicians deliver a more personalized approach and, in a long-term scenario, develop new delivery strategies concerning already available vaccinations and new investigated products. The aims of this study were to describe among MSM accessing PrEP, the HAV, HBV, and HPV serologic status and vaccination history; analyze vaccinations uptake after PrEP prescription; protection rates for HAV, HBV, and HPV; and evaluate factors associated with the lack of triple vaccination (HAV, HBV, and HPV).…”