INTRODUCTION: A recent qualitative study shows that genital warts can reduce the quality of life of heterosexual patients considerably. This follow-up study seeks to elucidate the illness perception among men who have sex with men (MSM). The aim is to examine the extent to which minority cultural conditions and factors affect the experiences of these patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study was based on qualitative interviews with six Danish MSM. Along with the study among heterosexual patients, a literature review identified the important questions to be presented to the participants. RESULTS: Many MSM worry about being stigmatized in the homosexual "scene" and thereby losing their affiliation to a significant social group as well as their chances of finding sex and love. Most participants had suffered from genital warts for several years - which added to the negative psycho-sexual and social effects of the disease. These participants' fears of developing anal cancer corresponded to the concerns of female genital warts patients about cervical cancer. CONCLUSION: Ano-genital HPV infection is common among MSM. However, these men will not benefit to the same extent as heterosexual men from the herd immunity effect of HPV vaccination of girls. MSM may have particular pathological pictures as well as concerns that should be addressed when communicating with these patients and taken into account when considering HPV vaccination of boys.
INTRODUCTION: A recent qualitative study shows that genital warts can reduce the quality of life of heterosexual patients considerably. This follow-up study seeks to elucidate the illness perception among men who have sex with men (MSM). The aim is to examine the extent to which minority cultural conditions and factors affect the experiences of these patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study was based on qualitative interviews with six Danish MSM. Along with the study among heterosexual patients, a literature review identified the important questions to be presented to the participants. RESULTS: Many MSM worry about being stigmatized in the homosexual "scene" and thereby losing their affiliation to a significant social group as well as their chances of finding sex and love. Most participants had suffered from genital warts for several years - which added to the negative psycho-sexual and social effects of the disease. These participants' fears of developing anal cancer corresponded to the concerns of female genital warts patients about cervical cancer. CONCLUSION: Ano-genital HPV infection is common among MSM. However, these men will not benefit to the same extent as heterosexual men from the herd immunity effect of HPV vaccination of girls. MSM may have particular pathological pictures as well as concerns that should be addressed when communicating with these patients and taken into account when considering HPV vaccination of boys.