​Almost one in three men over the age of 15 is infected with at least one type of genital human papillomavirus (HPV), and one in five is infected with one or more oncogenic (cancer-causing) types of HPV. According to a new study published in the September issue of the prestigious medical journal The Lancet Global Health and cited by News.ro.

The study was published in the September issue of the prestigious medical journal The Lancet Global Health.

These estimates show that men are often carriers of genital HPV infections and emphasize the importance of involving men in efforts to control HPV infection and reduce the incidence of HPV-related disease in both men and women.

A 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 cumulative global prevalence was 31% for any HPV type and 21% for high-risk HPV.

HPV-16 was the most common HPV genotype (5%), followed by HPV-6 (4%).

HPV prevalence was high among young adults, peaking between 25 and 29 years of age, and stabilized or declined slightly thereafter.

Prevalence estimates were similar for the UN Sustainable Development Goals geographic regions: Europe and North America, sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, Australia and New Zealand (Oceania).

Estimates for East and Southeast Asia were half of those for other regions.

Most HPV infections in men and women are asymptomatic, but can lead to long-term consequences, numerous cancers and mortality.

Each year, more than 340,000 women die from cervical cancer caused by HPV infection.

In men, HPV infection manifests clinically as anogenital warts (genital warts or condylomas), which cause significant morbidity and increase the rate of HPV transmission.

HPV infections in men are also associated with penile, anal, and oropharyngeal cancers, which are often associated with HPV type 16.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer estimates that in 2018, there were approximately 69,400 cases of HPV-related cancer in men.

“This global study of the prevalence of genital HPV infection in men confirms how widespread HPV infection is,” said Dr. Meg Dougherty, Director of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Global Programs on HIV, Hepatitis and Sexually Transmitted Infections .

Infection with high-risk types of HPV can cause genital warts and cancers of the mouth, penis and anus in men, she said.

“We must continue to look for opportunities to prevent HPV infection and reduce the incidence of HPV-related diseases in both men and women,” the doctor emphasized.

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