Human papillomavirus vaccination rates of military and civilian male respondents to the behavioral risk factors surveillance system between 2013 and 2015

Abstract

Objective To evaluate human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination rates among men in the USA and to compare vaccination rates among men who had served in the military to those reporting no previous military service. Methods We performed a cross-sectional analysis using Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data from the 2013 to 2015 to analyze HPV vaccination rates for vaccine eligible adult men. The BRFSS is a multistage, cross-sectional telephone survey conducted nationally by state health departments. Univariable and logistic regression analyses were performed to examine the relationship between military service and HPV vaccination status was assessed as well as the number of HPV vaccination doses received. Results A total of 5,274 participants were analyzed representing a weighted estimate of 1.5 million HPV vaccine eligible men in the USA. The vaccination rate among veterans was 25.3% (95% confidence interval (CI), 18.8-33.3%) compared to 15.9% (95% CI, 14.3-17.6%) for civilians (p < 0.01). Veterans were more likely to report having received at least one dose of the HPV vaccine compared to civilian men (adjusted odds ratios [aOR] = 2.7, 95% CI, 1.7%-4.1%, p < 0.001). Conclusions Veteran men are more likely to have received HPV vaccination than similarly aged civilian men. However, for both civilians and veterans, the HPV vaccination coverage remains low when compared to their female counterparts.