Abstract
ObjectivesSince the introduction of Australia's human papillomavirus vaccination program, the management rate of genital warts in sexual health clinics and private hospitals has decreased in women of vaccine-eligible age. However, most genital warts in Australia are managed in general practice. This study examines whether a similar decrease occurred in Australian general practice after the introduction of the program.MethodsAnalysis of a nationally representative cross-sectional database of Australian general practice activity (1,175,879 patient encounters with 11,780 general practitioners). Genital warts management rates were estimated for the periods before and after introduction of the program (Pre-program, July 2002-June 2006; Post-program, July 2008-June 2012). Control conditions included genital herpes and gardnerella/bacterial vaginosis in female patients and genital herpes and urethritis in male patients. Trends in management rates by year, pre-vaccine (July 2000-June 2007) and post-vaccine (July 2007-June 2012) were also calculated.ResultsManagement rate of genital warts among women potentially covered by program (aged 15–27 years) decreased by 61% from 4.33 per 1,000 encounters in the Pre-program period to 1.67 in the Post-program period. Trend analysis of the post-vaccine period showed, among women of vaccine eligible age, a significant year-on-year reduction in the rate of genital warts management (p<0.0001) and a significant increase in the management rate of control conditions per year (p<0.0001). For all other age-sex groups there was no significant change in the management rate of genital warts between the Pre- and Post-program periods.ConclusionThe large decrease in general practice management of genital warts in women of vaccine-eligible age highlights the success of the program in the wider community.
Highlights
Australia was one of the first countries to provide the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine free to young women through a national immunisation program
In the Pre-program period, patients aged 15–27 years had the highest rate of genital warts management (4.3 per 1,000 encounters for female and 4.9 for males), while patients aged 50 years and older had the lowest management rate (Table 1)
In our study we showed a significant decrease in the general practitioners (GPs) management rate of genital warts among women of vaccineeligible age to be covered by the Australian national HPV vaccination program
Summary
Australia was one of the first countries to provide the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine free to young women through a national immunisation program. In April 2007, the Australian Government introduced an ongoing free school-based program using the quadrivalent HPV vaccine (Types 6, 11, 16, 18) for girls aged 12–13 years and a two year catch-up program for girls aged 13–18 years in a two year catch-up.[8] In July 2007, a community-based catch-up program for women aged 18–26 years (inclusive) was initiated, with the HPV vaccine available free through general practitioners (GPs) and other primary health care services until December 2009.[9] The program has been very successful with the National HPV 3dose vaccination coverage for all females turning years of age ranging from 72.5% in 2007 to 70.9% in 2012. Coverage was lower for the older populations, it has been progressively increasing, from 39% in 2007 to 69% in 2012 for females aged to years and from 30% to 44% in females aged to 26 years over the same period.[10]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
