Lifetime number of partners as the only independent risk factor for human papillomavirus infection: a population-based study.
OBJECTIVE
Previous studies of relationships between genital human papillomavirus infection and tentative risk factors have yielded conflicting results, possibly because of inaccuracy of the viral detection methods used and differences in selection criteria.


OBJECTIVE
To determine human papillomavirus prevalence and identify risk factors in a group of young Swedish women.


METHODS
This was a population-based study involving completion of a structured questionnaire, analysis of cervical scrapings for human papillomavirus and Chlamydia trachomatis, and serologic tests for C. trachomatis and herpes simplex virus antibodies.


RESULTS
The prevalence of human papillomavirus infection was 22% among the sexually active women and 4% among the virgins. A number of factors were associated with human papillomavirus prevalence in univariate analysis, but logistic regression analysis showed that lifetime number of male sexual partners was the only independent risk factor for human papillomavirus infection (adjusted odds ratio, 7.45; 95% CI, 2.79-19.92 for six or more partners vs. one partner).


CONCLUSIONS
Human papillomavirus infection is a prevalent sexually transmitted disease among young Swedish women, and the lifetime number of male sexual partners is a major risk factor.
Karlsson
R
R
Department of Family Medicine, University of Umeå, Sweden.
Jonsson
M
M
Edlund
K
K
Evander
M
M
Gustavsson
A
A
Bodén
E
E
Rylander
E
E
Wadell
G
G
D000328:Adult; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000097:blood; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000821:virology; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000382:microbiology; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006558:Herpes Genitalis / Q000821:virology; D018258:Herpesvirus 2, Human / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D027383:Papillomaviridae / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology / Q000821:virology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012747:Sexual Partners; D015229:Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Viral / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology / Q000821:virology; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology; D014412:Tumor Virus Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology / Q000821:virology
D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D004279:DNA, Viral