Genital human papillomavirus infection in women.
OBJECTIVE
To enhance nurse clinicians' knowledge of genital human papillomavirus infection in women.


METHODS
Several literature searches using the following terms, dating back to 1986: human papillomavirus (HPV), females, human, cervical neoplasia, risk factors, condylomata acuminata, detection, epidemiology, pathology, psychology, Papanicolaou test, immunosuppression, HIV infection, and AIDS.


METHODS
Forty-three formal research studies regarding the association of various types of HPV infection with cervical intraepithelial lesions, the putative precursor lesions for cervical neoplasia; the outcomes of diagnostic techniques for HPV types; the outcomes of diagnostic/screening techniques for abnormal cervical cells; the association of risk factors for acquiring HPV infection; or the outcomes of therapy. Some additional references were chosen for their presentation of epidemiologic or surveillance data, others for their scientific discussions on related topics.


METHODS
Data were abstracted according to summary measures of the parameter of interest in the sample studied. In most instances, it was the prevalence of HPV, cervical neoplasia, or frequency of use of screening tests.


RESULTS
Immunosuppressed clients are at particular risk for HPV-mediated cervical neoplasia.


CONCLUSIONS
Because Papanicolaou tests are an effective screening tool, cervical cancer is easily detectable. The nurse may facilitate treatment. This is an especially important issue for young women, among whom sexual activity is growing--with attendant increases of HPV and HIV infection.
Kelley
K F
KF
AIDS Epidemiology Program, New York State Department of Health, Albany.
Galbraith
M A
MA
Vermund
S H
SH
D015139:Blotting, Southern; D003127:Colposcopy; D005260:Female; D005831:Genital Diseases, Female / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D005833:Genital Neoplasms, Female / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D009732:Nursing Care / Q000379:methods; D065006:Papanicolaou Test; D027383:Papillomaviridae; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012307:Risk Factors; D012731:Sex Counseling; D014412:Tumor Virus Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D014626:Vaginal Smears