Impact of the HPV Vaccine on Oral HPV Infections in Indigenous Australian Adults

Background/Objectives: The HPV vaccine is highly effective and safe in preventing HPV infection. This study explored the relationship between HPV vaccination, HPV knowledge and awareness, and oral HPV infection prevalence among Indigenous Australian adults. Methods: Data were collected from a large...

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Main Authors: Xiangqun Ju, Lucy Lockwood, Sneha Sethi, Joanne Hedges, Lisa Jamieson
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-06-01
Series:Vaccines
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-393X/13/7/685
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author Xiangqun Ju
Lucy Lockwood
Sneha Sethi
Joanne Hedges
Lisa Jamieson
author_facet Xiangqun Ju
Lucy Lockwood
Sneha Sethi
Joanne Hedges
Lisa Jamieson
author_sort Xiangqun Ju
collection DOAJ
description Background/Objectives: The HPV vaccine is highly effective and safe in preventing HPV infection. This study explored the relationship between HPV vaccination, HPV knowledge and awareness, and oral HPV infection prevalence among Indigenous Australian adults. Methods: Data were collected from a large convenience sample in South Australia in 2018–19, with annual follow-ups through 2022–23. The primary outcome was oral infection with HPV types 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, or 58. The main exposure was HPV vaccination uptake status, which was categorised as unvaccinated, partially vaccinated (1–2 doses), or fully vaccinated (3 doses). Covariates included sociodemographic factors, general and sexual health behaviours, and HPV knowledge scores (HPV-KT). Risk ratios (RRs) for oral HPV infection were estimated using Poisson regression models. Results: Among the 1006 participants who completed at least one questionnaire and oral HPV test by 24 months, 81% were unvaccinated, 13% partially vaccinated, and 7% fully vaccinated. Fully vaccinated individuals had the highest HPV-KT scores (mean: 3.4) and the lowest oral HPV prevalence (5%). After adjusting for covariates, unvaccinated participants had a 1.08 times higher risk of oral HPV infection (95% CI: 1.00–3.11) compared to those fully vaccinated. Conclusions: Full HPV vaccination (three doses) is associated with lower oral HPV infection and greater HPV knowledge. The protective effect appears stronger than for partial vaccination or no vaccination, underscoring the importance of completing the full vaccine series to reduce oral HPV burden.
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spelling doaj-art-b9f280b8dc0d4751a7128fb1c01ce0092025-08-20T03:32:35ZengMDPI AGVaccines2076-393X2025-06-0113768510.3390/vaccines13070685Impact of the HPV Vaccine on Oral HPV Infections in Indigenous Australian AdultsXiangqun Ju0Lucy Lockwood1Sneha Sethi2Joanne Hedges3Lisa Jamieson4Australian Research Centre for Population Oral Health (ARCPOH), Adelaide Dental School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide 5000, AustraliaAustralian Research Centre for Population Oral Health (ARCPOH), Adelaide Dental School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide 5000, AustraliaAustralian Research Centre for Population Oral Health (ARCPOH), Adelaide Dental School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide 5000, AustraliaAustralian Research Centre for Population Oral Health (ARCPOH), Adelaide Dental School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide 5000, AustraliaAustralian Research Centre for Population Oral Health (ARCPOH), Adelaide Dental School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide 5000, AustraliaBackground/Objectives: The HPV vaccine is highly effective and safe in preventing HPV infection. This study explored the relationship between HPV vaccination, HPV knowledge and awareness, and oral HPV infection prevalence among Indigenous Australian adults. Methods: Data were collected from a large convenience sample in South Australia in 2018–19, with annual follow-ups through 2022–23. The primary outcome was oral infection with HPV types 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, or 58. The main exposure was HPV vaccination uptake status, which was categorised as unvaccinated, partially vaccinated (1–2 doses), or fully vaccinated (3 doses). Covariates included sociodemographic factors, general and sexual health behaviours, and HPV knowledge scores (HPV-KT). Risk ratios (RRs) for oral HPV infection were estimated using Poisson regression models. Results: Among the 1006 participants who completed at least one questionnaire and oral HPV test by 24 months, 81% were unvaccinated, 13% partially vaccinated, and 7% fully vaccinated. Fully vaccinated individuals had the highest HPV-KT scores (mean: 3.4) and the lowest oral HPV prevalence (5%). After adjusting for covariates, unvaccinated participants had a 1.08 times higher risk of oral HPV infection (95% CI: 1.00–3.11) compared to those fully vaccinated. Conclusions: Full HPV vaccination (three doses) is associated with lower oral HPV infection and greater HPV knowledge. The protective effect appears stronger than for partial vaccination or no vaccination, underscoring the importance of completing the full vaccine series to reduce oral HPV burden.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-393X/13/7/685Human Papilloma VirusIndigenous Australianknowledge and awarenessHPV vaccine
spellingShingle Xiangqun Ju
Lucy Lockwood
Sneha Sethi
Joanne Hedges
Lisa Jamieson
Impact of the HPV Vaccine on Oral HPV Infections in Indigenous Australian Adults
Vaccines
Human Papilloma Virus
Indigenous Australian
knowledge and awareness
HPV vaccine
title Impact of the HPV Vaccine on Oral HPV Infections in Indigenous Australian Adults
title_full Impact of the HPV Vaccine on Oral HPV Infections in Indigenous Australian Adults
title_fullStr Impact of the HPV Vaccine on Oral HPV Infections in Indigenous Australian Adults
title_full_unstemmed Impact of the HPV Vaccine on Oral HPV Infections in Indigenous Australian Adults
title_short Impact of the HPV Vaccine on Oral HPV Infections in Indigenous Australian Adults
title_sort impact of the hpv vaccine on oral hpv infections in indigenous australian adults
topic Human Papilloma Virus
Indigenous Australian
knowledge and awareness
HPV vaccine
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-393X/13/7/685
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AT lucylockwood impactofthehpvvaccineonoralhpvinfectionsinindigenousaustralianadults
AT snehasethi impactofthehpvvaccineonoralhpvinfectionsinindigenousaustralianadults
AT joannehedges impactofthehpvvaccineonoralhpvinfectionsinindigenousaustralianadults
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