Background Vaccination of girls and young women aged 12–26, for HPV genotypes 6, 11, 16 and 18, commenced in Australia in 2007. Vaccine uptake is estimated to be 70%.

Methods Diagnoses for all new patients were recorded and the proportion of patients diagnosed with warts was calculated for exclusively homosexual (MSM) and heterosexual men (MSW) and, for women according to their eligibility for vaccination. Women aged ≥27 years in 2007 were too old for the vaccine program. Changes in these proportions are reported from 2004 to the end of 2010 (to be updated to 30 June 2011).

Results 53 088 new patients were seen from 2004 to the end of 2010 and 5191 were diagnosed with warts. The proportion of patients diagnosed with warts fell from 11.2% (95% CI 9.8 to 12.8%) in the third quarter of 2007 to 7.3% (95% CI 6.2 to 8.4%) in the final quarter of 2010. Women aged <27 years in 2007 experienced the greatest quarterly reduction (OR per quarter (OR) 0.93, p<0.001) to a proportion of 3.8% seen with warts in the 4th quarter of 2010. There was no significant change in women ≥27 years (OR 1.0, p=0.9) or in homosexual men (OR 0.99, p=0.54) and a small reduction in heterosexual men (OR 0.98, p=0.005). The proportion of younger women diagnosed with warts is continuing to fall, compared to other groups and to the proportions diagnosed with first episode genital herpes (Abstract P5-S3.04 figure 1).

• Download figure
• Open in new tab
• Download powerpoint

Abstract P5-S3.04 Figure 1

Presentations with Warts Quarters 2004 to end 2010.

Conclusions The substantial decline in genital warts continues in young Australian women, 3 years after the roll-out of the HPV vaccination program. Heterosexual men are experiencing a smaller, but significant decline.