Many uninformed on external anogenital warts.(Gynecology)

CHARLESTON, S.C. -- Most clinicians counsel patients appropriately about the cause and prevention of external anogenital warts, but many--including some ob.gyns.--are unaware of the difference between oncogenic and wart-related human papillomavirus types, Zsakeba Henderson, M.D., reported in a poster at the annual meeting of the Infectious Diseases Society for Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Of 4,305 clinicians who responded to a 2004 survey, 90% said they have diagnosed anogenital warts in patients. Of the ob.gyns. who responded, 96% have diagnosed anogenital warts in patients, 97% tell patients the warts are sexually transmitted, 97% tell patients that their sex partners can acquire the warts, 96% tell patients they may have been infected long ago, and 86% tell patients not much is known about the duration of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, said Dr. Henderson of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta.

Also, 86% of the ob.gyns. said they discuss ways to prevent HPV transmission, and 81% usually or always ask about sexual behaviors to assess risk.

As for recommended methods for preventing transmission, 90% recommend condoms, 79% recommend monogamy, 61% recommend avoiding contact with warts, and 43% recommend abstinence.

Of the respondents, 89% knew that HPV causes anogenital warts, but only 70% knew that HPV types associated with cancer differ from those associated with warts, Dr. Henderson said in an interview.

Although ob.gyns. are doing better than the overall survey population with regard to knowledge about oncogenic vs. wart-related HPV types (48% overall knew cancer-and wart-related types differ), 44% of ob.gyns. (38% overall), knew warts do not increase ...