Abstract 1430: Do race and gender independently predict risk factors associated with the Human papillomavirus
Authors: Rohde Rebecca L. , Osazuwa-Peters Nosayaba , Adjei Boakye Eric , Ganesh Rajan , Moiyadi Ammar , Hussaini Adnan S. , Varvares Mark A. 
Published: July 2016

Purpose

To assess racial and gender differences, among a drag racing population, as predictors of sexual risk factors associated with HPV infection, including number of oral sexual partners, age of first vaginal sex, and age of first oral sex.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted at a drag racing event on September 12-13, 2015 in Madison, Illinois. Independent variables were gender and race. Outcome variables were number of oral sexual partners (high vs. low), age of first vaginal sex, and age at first oral sex. Multivariable logistic regression was used to examine the association between race and gender, and number of sexual partners. Multivariable linear regression analysis assessed the association between race and gender, and age of first vaginal sex, and age at first oral sex.

Results

Three hundred and one individuals took our survey. Of these respondents, 63% were male, and 65% identified as African Americans. Mean age for this population was 48 ± 13 years. Approximately 45% of participants reported they have had four or more oral sexual partners. Mean age for first vaginal sex was 17 ± 3 years, 20 ± 6 years for first oral sex. Multivariate logistic regression revealed that gender was a significant predictor of number of oral sexual partners, but race was not significant. Men compared to women were more likely to have a high number of oral sexual partners (OR = 2.08; 95% CI: 1.23, 3.57). In multivariable linear regression, gender and race were significant predictors of age of first vaginal sex, and age at first oral sex. Men were more likely to have earlier vaginal sexual debut as compared to women (β = -1.13; 95% CI: -1.82, -0.43) as were African Americans compared to Caucasians (β = -1.14; 95% CI: -1.82, -0.46). Men were also more likely to have earlier oral sexual debut as compared to women (β = -2.51; 95% CI: -3.98, -1.04). Caucasians were more likely to have earlier oral sexual debut as compared to African Americans (β = 2.44; 95% CI: 1.02, 3.87).

Conclusions

Race and gender were independent predictors of HPV risk factors. Males were more likely to initiate earlier and engage in both oral and vaginal sexual behaviors that are high risk for developing HPV. Caucasians were more likely to initiate earlier, and engage in oral sexual behaviors that are high risk for developing HPV. These findings provide impetus for the development of targeted educational interventions aimed at improving knowledge of these sexual risk factors among Caucasians and males, in the community.

Citation Format: Rebecca L. Rohde, Nosayaba Osazuwa-Peters, Eric Adjei Boakye, Rajan Ganesh, Ammar Moiyadi, Adnan S. Hussaini, Mark A. Varvares. Do race and gender independently predict risk factors associated with the Human papillomavirus. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr 1430.