Genital human papillomavirus infection identification by molecular biology among asymptomatic women

Objective To evaluate whether epidemiololgical factors, may he associated to genital human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. cross-sectional study was carried out among 975 women seen at a public health cervical cancer screening in Porto Alegre, Brazil. Women were considered if tested positive to HPV either h - i, Pol ' i-merase Chain Reaction o`PCR) or ll vbrid('apturell(HC-11) metho(&. Women With genital HIVinlection vverecompared vvollnen without infection dravvnfi-oin the same population. Results Thestudi, enrolled 975 ivomen. The HPVprevalence (both methods combined) in this tvas 2 7%. HoAvvei: tihen each diagnostic method is anallzed separatelV, vas 15% and 16%.1br HC-H and PCR. respectivelY. Unconditional logistic- regression vi-as used to correlate disease status to women A positive association "us.1bund vith HPV infectionfiir thelb1lovving 1-ariables: - vears o/ schooling (11 vears: OR=2.05: 95%CI =1.31,- 3.20), married 95%('1=0.78: 2.00). mimber oflif time sexual partners (2 partners: /.67.- 95%CI 1.01,- 2.77,- 4 or +: OR=2.18; 95%)Cl-l. 15: 4.13). age atfirst (15-16Years: OR=4.05,- 95l";,CI=0.89: 18.29). Various lactors maY contribute to genital HPV infection. especiallY those related to behavior Noung age at first intercourse, high number oflifietime sexual partners, atititho,,;erelciteeltoso(,ialaticiec-onotni(-.yttitit,,; Nearsol'schooling).