Nearly a third of men over the age of 15 are infected with at least one type of genital human papillomavirus (HPV), according to a new study published in The Lancet Global Health.
In addition, one in five men is infected with one or more high-risk or oncogenic types of human papillomavirus (HPV).
These estimates suggest that men frequently carry genital HPV infection and emphasize the importance of including it in efforts to control infection and reduce the incidence of associated diseases.
A systematic review and meta-analysis assessed the prevalence of genital HPV infection in the general male population based on studies published from 1995 to 2022. The pooled overall prevalence was 31% for all HPVs and 21% for high-risk HPVs.
HPV-16 was the most common HPV genotype (5%), followed by HPV-6 (4%). HPV prevalence among young adults is high, peaks between the ages of 25 and 29, and then levels off or declines slightly.
Pooled prevalence estimates were similar for the UN SDG geographic regions of Europe and North America, sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Australia and New Zealand (Oceania). Estimates for East and Southeast Asia are half those for other regions.
Most infected people are asymptomatic
Most HPV infections in both men and women are asymptomatic but can lead to long-term sequelae and death. More than 340,000 women die from cervical cancer each year.
In men, HPV infection often manifests clinically as anogenital warts, which cause significant morbidity and increase transmission rates. HPV infection has also been linked to penile, anal, and oropharyngeal cancers, which are often associated with HPV type 16. The International Agency for Research on Cancer estimates that about 69,400 cancer cases in men were caused by HPV in 2018. .
“This global study of the prevalence of male genital HPV infection confirms how widespread this infection can be, leading to male genital warts as well as cancers of the mouth, penis and anus. We must continue to look for opportunities to prevent HPV infection and Reduce the incidence of HPV-related diseases in both men and women,” said Dr Meg Doherty, Director of the World Health Organization’s Global Program on HIV, Hepatitis and Sexually Transmitted Infections.