Males’ Access to Human Papillomavirus Vaccination in Resource-Limited Settings

Wubishet Gezimu,1 Firomsa Bekele,2 Teshome Bekana,3 Ababo Demeke4 1Department of Nursing, College of Health Science, Mattu University, Mattu, Ethiopia; 2Department of Pharmacy, Institute of Health Science, Wallaga University, Nekemte, Ethiopia; 3Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of...

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Main Authors: Gezimu W, Bekele F, Bekana T, Demeke A
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Dove Medical Press 2024-02-01
Series:ImmunoTargets and Therapy
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.dovepress.com/males-access-to-human-papillomavirus-vaccination-in-resource-limited-s-peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-ITT
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author Gezimu W
Bekele F
Bekana T
Demeke A
author_facet Gezimu W
Bekele F
Bekana T
Demeke A
author_sort Gezimu W
collection DOAJ
description Wubishet Gezimu,1 Firomsa Bekele,2 Teshome Bekana,3 Ababo Demeke4 1Department of Nursing, College of Health Science, Mattu University, Mattu, Ethiopia; 2Department of Pharmacy, Institute of Health Science, Wallaga University, Nekemte, Ethiopia; 3Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Health Science, Mattu University, Mattu, Ethiopia; 4Department of Nursing, College of Medical and Health Science, Dilla University, Dilla, EthiopiaCorrespondence: Wubishet Gezimu, Department of Nursing, College of Health Science, Mattu University, P.O. Box: 318, Mattu, Ethiopia, Tel +251-0916701966, Email wubishet151@gmail.comAbstract: The human papillomavirus is known to cause cervical and anogenital cancer and benign anogenital and cutaneous warts. Both males and females can contract the virus during sexual intercourse and skin-to-skin contact. Communities in low- and middle-income countries, including Africa, are particularly suffering from human papillomavirus-related diseases, mainly cervical cancer. Vaccination is the most economical and efficient prevention strategy to control human papillomavirus-related diseases. Undoubtedly, to control all types of human papillomavirus-related morbidity and mortality, the entire at-risk, sexually active population needs to be vaccinated regardless of their sex. However, the vaccination program, particularly in Africa, the world’s most resource-limited region, is habitually limited to the female population, considering only the burden of cervical cancer. We think that it is impossible to fully mitigate the human papillomavirus infection by vaccinating only the female population, while males can carry and pass the virus. In addition, marginalizing males from this program seems to violate gender inequality and their sexual and reproductive health rights. Hence, we voice the need for global and local governments to consider and customize human papillomavirus vaccination programs for the male population. Also, it is better to consider the male population in different research studies regarding human papillomavirus-related malignant and benign conditions.Keywords: HPV, vaccination, male, resource-limited settings
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spelling doaj.art-d297a42a605b4050976a4cb98d0e804c2024-02-18T16:42:54ZengDove Medical PressImmunoTargets and Therapy2253-15562024-02-01Volume 13959890529Males’ Access to Human Papillomavirus Vaccination in Resource-Limited SettingsGezimu WBekele FBekana TDemeke AWubishet Gezimu,1 Firomsa Bekele,2 Teshome Bekana,3 Ababo Demeke4 1Department of Nursing, College of Health Science, Mattu University, Mattu, Ethiopia; 2Department of Pharmacy, Institute of Health Science, Wallaga University, Nekemte, Ethiopia; 3Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Health Science, Mattu University, Mattu, Ethiopia; 4Department of Nursing, College of Medical and Health Science, Dilla University, Dilla, EthiopiaCorrespondence: Wubishet Gezimu, Department of Nursing, College of Health Science, Mattu University, P.O. Box: 318, Mattu, Ethiopia, Tel +251-0916701966, Email wubishet151@gmail.comAbstract: The human papillomavirus is known to cause cervical and anogenital cancer and benign anogenital and cutaneous warts. Both males and females can contract the virus during sexual intercourse and skin-to-skin contact. Communities in low- and middle-income countries, including Africa, are particularly suffering from human papillomavirus-related diseases, mainly cervical cancer. Vaccination is the most economical and efficient prevention strategy to control human papillomavirus-related diseases. Undoubtedly, to control all types of human papillomavirus-related morbidity and mortality, the entire at-risk, sexually active population needs to be vaccinated regardless of their sex. However, the vaccination program, particularly in Africa, the world’s most resource-limited region, is habitually limited to the female population, considering only the burden of cervical cancer. We think that it is impossible to fully mitigate the human papillomavirus infection by vaccinating only the female population, while males can carry and pass the virus. In addition, marginalizing males from this program seems to violate gender inequality and their sexual and reproductive health rights. Hence, we voice the need for global and local governments to consider and customize human papillomavirus vaccination programs for the male population. Also, it is better to consider the male population in different research studies regarding human papillomavirus-related malignant and benign conditions.Keywords: HPV, vaccination, male, resource-limited settingshttps://www.dovepress.com/males-access-to-human-papillomavirus-vaccination-in-resource-limited-s-peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-ITThpvvaccinationmaleresource-limited settings
spellingShingle Gezimu W
Bekele F
Bekana T
Demeke A
Males’ Access to Human Papillomavirus Vaccination in Resource-Limited Settings
ImmunoTargets and Therapy
hpv
vaccination
male
resource-limited settings
title Males’ Access to Human Papillomavirus Vaccination in Resource-Limited Settings
title_full Males’ Access to Human Papillomavirus Vaccination in Resource-Limited Settings
title_fullStr Males’ Access to Human Papillomavirus Vaccination in Resource-Limited Settings
title_full_unstemmed Males’ Access to Human Papillomavirus Vaccination in Resource-Limited Settings
title_short Males’ Access to Human Papillomavirus Vaccination in Resource-Limited Settings
title_sort males rsquo access to human papillomavirus vaccination in resource limited settings
topic hpv
vaccination
male
resource-limited settings
url https://www.dovepress.com/males-access-to-human-papillomavirus-vaccination-in-resource-limited-s-peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-ITT
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AT bekanat malesrsquoaccesstohumanpapillomavirusvaccinationinresourcelimitedsettings
AT demekea malesrsquoaccesstohumanpapillomavirusvaccinationinresourcelimitedsettings