Introduction Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most prevalent sexually transmitted infection (STI) globally. HPV is a virus transmitted through sexual contact, with more than 200 different types. High-risk HPV types can cause cancers in various areas such as in the throat, penis, and anus. Some low-risk HPV types can cause genital warts, one of the more common STIs. Gay, Bisexual, and other Men who have Sex with Men (gbMSM) experience disproportionate rates of HPV infections and related cancers compared to heterosexual men. Despite the high prevalence of HPV among gbMSM, and the effectiveness of HPV vaccines, HPV vaccination uptake levels are suboptimal among gbMSM. Methods This systematic review and meta-analysis protocol will provide a comprehensive assessment and synthesis of the effectiveness of HPV vaccination uptake interventions among gbMSM globally. A systematic review protocol, following PRISMA-P guidelines and the Methodological Expectations of Cochrane Interventions Reviews has been developed. A comprehensive search of the electronic databases MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, and PsycINFO will be conducted. Empirical studies assessing the effectiveness of interventions to increase uptake of HPV vaccination among gbMSM will be included. Quantitative research articles including randomised control trials (RCTs) and non-randomised control trials (non-RCTs) will be included. Titles and abstracts, and full texts will be screened independently by two reviewers. Discussion Through the current systematic review, we hope to gain important insights related to the effectiveness of HPV vaccination uptake interventions among gbMSM. Best practices guiding healthcare practitioners, policy makers, and community stakeholders will be highlighted to implement targeted strategies aiming to enhance HPV vaccination uptake and prevent HPV-related health inequalities in gbMSM.
Kelapostolou et al. (Tue,) studied this question.