Determinants of genital human papillomavirus infection in low-risk women in Portland, Oregon

Objectives: To confirm the risk factors for genital human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. Goal of this study. To investigate risk factors for HPV detection independent of the correlated risk factors for cervical neoplasia in a low-risk population. Study Design: HPV DNA was assessed among 483 cytologically normal women with no known history of cervical neoplasia. A cervicovaginal lavage was collected for HPV detection and typing using a PCR-based DNA amplification system. Information on risk factors of subjects was obtained through a questionnaire. Results. HPV DNA was found in 17.7% of study women. On univariate analysis, factors associated with increasing HPV prevalence included younger age, fewer years of education, lower income, higher lifetime number of sex partners, lower age at first intercourse, nulliparity, oral contraceptive use, and current smoking. After statistical adjustment, we found younger age and higher number of sex partners were strongly and independently associated with higher HPV prevalence. We also observed increased HPV prevalence among women with lower levels of education and lower incomes. Conclusion: These findings and corroborative data from the companion reports in this issue of the journal support the sexual route of transmission of the virus.
Women who become sexually active at a young age and have multiple sex partners may be at greater risk for genital human papillomavirus infection. Genital human papillomavirus (HPV) is responsible for genital warts and is suspected of causing cervical cancer. A study to determine the prevalence of HPV infection among low-risk women included 453 women between the ages 16 and 81 in Portland, OR. Their average age was 34 years. Vaginal surface cells and blood samples were taken from each subject. HPV was detected in 17.7% of the specimens. Women from 16 to 24 years old had the highest rate of infection among all age groups at 32.1%. In addition, women who had first intercourse before age 16 had an infection rate of 31.9%. Those who were 21 years of age or older at first intercourse had an HPV infection rate of only 8.6%. Subjects with a lifetime number of six to nine sex partners had an infection rate of 28.8%.