One in Three Men Worldwide Infected with Genital HPV
Human papillomavirus infections are associated with cancers and significant morbidity, and lead to increased transmission rates
A new study in The Lancet Global Health showed that almost 1 in 3 men over the age of 15 are infected with at least one genital human papillomavirus (HPV) type, and 1 in 5 are infected with one or more of what are known as high risk, or oncogenic, HPV types. These estimates show that men frequently harbor genital HPV infections and emphasize the importance of incorporating men in efforts to control HPV infection and reduce the incidence of HPV-related disease in both men and women.
The systematic review and meta-analysis assessed the prevalence of genital HPV infection in the general male population based on studies published between 1995 and 2022. The global pooled prevalence was 31 percent for any HPV and 21 percent for high-risk HPV. HPV-16 was the most prevalent HPV genotype (5 percent) followed by HPV-6 (4 percent).
HPV prevalence was high in young adults, reaching a maximum between the ages of 25 years and 29 years, and stabilized or slightly decreased thereafter. Pooled prevalence estimates were similar for the UN Sustainable Development Goal geographical regions of Europe and Northern America, Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Australia and New Zealand (Oceania). The estimates for East and Southeast Asia were half that of the other regions.
The majority of HPV infections in men and women are asymptomatic, but they can lead to long-term sequelae and mortality. Each year, more than 340,000 women die of cervical cancer. In men, HPV infection tends to manifest clinically as anogenital warts, which cause significant morbidity and increase HPV transmission rates.
HPV infections are also associated with penile, anal, and oropharyngeal cancers, which are commonly linked to HPV-16. The International Agency for Research on Cancer estimated that there were about 69,400 cases of cancer in men caused by HPV in 2018.
“This global study on the prevalence of genital HPV infection among men confirms how widespread HPV infection is. HPV infection with high-risk HPV types can cause genital warts and oral, penile, and anal cancer in men. We must continue to look for opportunities to prevent HPV infection and to reduce the incidence of HPV-related disease in both men and women,” said Meg Doherty, MD, PhD, director of WHO’s Global HIV, Hepatitis and Sexually Transmitted Infections Programmes.
- This press release was originally published on the World Health Organization website