The IMPRESS study aimed to demonstrate a fall in HPV infection in teenage males as a result of the introduction of a male vaccination program in Australia. We compared human papilloma virus (HPV) types in penile samples between sexually-active teenage heterosexual males before and after the implementation of the school-based male HPV vaccination.
We recruited sexually active men aged 17-19 into the study. Participants completed a questionnaire and provided a self-collected penile swab. The swab was tested for 37 HPV genotypes.
Different types of HPV (prevented by the vaccine) among teenage heterosexual males was low both before and after the introduction of male vaccination compared to the period before the introduction of female vaccination. The low prevalence of HPV types (2.6%) among males prior to male vaccination is likely as a result of herd protection from the high coverage of females from the existing female-only HPV vaccination program.
We also surveyed participants on their sexual behaviour. There are few studies on the patterns of early sexual behaviours among Australian teenage heterosexual boys.
This study looked at the nature and onset of early sexual experiences in this population through a cross-sectional survey. Participants completed a questionnaire about demographics and sexual behaviours.
These data provide insights into the trajectory of sexual behaviours experienced by teenage heterosexual boys following their first sexual experiences. These findings can inform programs promoting sexual health among teenage boys.
Publications
Prevalence of human papillomavirus in teenage heterosexual males following the implementation of female and male school-based vaccination in Australia: 2014-2017
Chow EPF, Tabrizi SN, Fairley CK, Wigan R, Machalek DA, Regan DG, Hocking JS, Garland SM, Cornall AM, Atchison S, Bradshaw CS, McNulty A, Owen L, Marshall L, Russell DB, Kaldor JM, Chen MY
(2019), Vaccine,
Early sexual experiences of teenage heterosexual males in Australia: a cross-sectional survey
Chow, E. P. F., Wigan, R., McNulty, A., Bell, C., Johnson, M., Marshall, L., Regan, D. G., Owen, L., Brotherton, J. M. L., Bradshaw, C. S., Fairley, C. K., Russell, D. & Chen, M. Y
(2017), BMJ Open,