Cervical human papilloma virus infection of women attending social hygiene clinics in Hong Kong.
OBJECTIVE
To find the prevalence of HPV infection in women attending a sexually transmitted disease clinic in Hong Kong.


METHODS
Cervical HPV infection was identified by cervical cytology and DNA filter in-situ-hybridization (Virapap) techniques in 207 women attending a social hygiene clinic. Other risk factors for cervical cancer were assessed and any association with HPV infection was sought. Statistical analysis was carried out using the chi 2-test.


RESULTS
The prevalence of HPV infection in the 207 Chinese women was 8.2% by cervical smear and 12.6% by DNA filter in-situ-hybridization. Risk factors for cervical cancer were not significantly associated with HPV infection in this group, 95% of whom were prostitutes.


CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of HPV infection in this group at high risk for cervical cancer is higher than in low-risk pregnant women, however the prevalence of HPV infection in Hong Kong is at the low end of the range of figures quoted for Caucasians. The cause of such a low prevalence is yet to be determined.
Ngan
H Y
HY
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Hong Kong.
Collins
R J
RJ
Wong
K Y
KY
Cheung
A
A
Lai
C F
CF
Liu
Y T
YT
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D006723:Hong Kong / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D008875:Middle Aged; D027383:Papillomaviridae; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D014412:Tumor Virus Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002577:Uterine Cervical Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000382:microbiology