Male human papillomavirus (HPV) prevalence and association with condom use in Mexico, Brazil and the United States

Associations between condom use and male genital human papillomavirus (HPV) infection have been inconsistent. We examined this relationship in a multinational cohort of 2,261 men aged 18–70 from Mexico, Brazil, and the U.S. who reported recent vaginal sex. Participants completed questionnaires on sexual history and condom use and were tested for HPV via PCR genotyping. Overall HPV prevalence was 70.6%, with 34% positive for oncogenic types. Men who always used condoms had the lowest HPV prevalence (65.9%) compared to those using condoms half the time (76.2%). After adjusting for confounders, consistent condom use was associated with lower HPV prevalence (PR = 0.70; 95% CI: 0.55–0.90). This association was significant in the U.S. but not in Mexico or Brazil. While consistent condom use may reduce HPV risk, prevalence remains high even among men reporting always using condoms.