Socio-Sexual Factors Associated with Quality of Life in Iranian Individuals with Human Papillomavirus

Objectives Human papillomavirus (HPV) affects multiple dimensions of health, including physical, psychological, sexual, and social well-being. In contexts such as Iran—where cultural norms, gender expectations, and limitations in sexual health education shape individuals’ experiences—these impacts may be intensified. This study aimed to examine how socio-sexual factors, including demographic, economic, behavioral, and clinical characteristics, are associated with the quality of life (QoL) of Iranian men and women diagnosed with HPV or anogenital warts (AGWs).Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among 420 patients (252 women, 168 men) attending three medical centers from September 2023 to November 2024. Participants completed researcher-developed questionnaires covering social (age, marital status, education, occupation, income) and sexual factors (age at first sexual intercourse, number of partners, condom use, HPV vaccination status, prior sexually transmitted infections, lesion history) alongside the validated HPV-QoL instrument. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation tests, and multivariate analysis with the General Linear Model (GLM).Results After excluding incomplete responses, 400 participants were analyzed. The mean overall QoL score was 32.02 (±13.70), below the acceptable threshold of 36, indicating reduced QoL. Men reported significantly higher QoL than women (34.96 ± 15.13 vs. 30.09 ± 12.34; P < 0.001). Independent predictors of QoL included male gender (β = 0.153; 95% CI: 0.89–6.69; P = 0.011), low-risk HPV genotype (β = −0.136; 95% CI: −11.97 to −1.97; P = 0.006), and illiteracy (β = 0.161; 95% CI: 3.53–17.71; P = 0.003). Lower QoL in women and in those with high-risk awareness suggests that gendered social pressures and knowledge of infection risk influence psychological outcomes.Conclusion Individuals with HPV, particularly women, experience significantly diminished QoL. Socio-sexual factors, HPV genotype, and education level are important determinants. These findings highlight the need for culturally sensitive education, gender-specific counseling, promotion of HPV vaccination, and psychological support to improve QoL among affected individuals in Iran.