ImmunoTargets and Therapy (Feb 2024)
Males’ Access to Human Papillomavirus Vaccination in Resource-Limited Settings
Abstract
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 [email protected]: 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
