Cervical human papillomavirus infection in the female population in Barcelona, Spain.
OBJECTIVE
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a major cause of invasive cervical cancer. Identification of HPV determinants might allow for targeting of high-risk groups for cervical cancer.


OBJECTIVE
The goal was to estimate the HPV prevalence and its determinants among women from the general population of Barcelona.


METHODS
We studied a random sample of female residents in metropolitan Barcelona, Spain (n = 973). Information was obtained through personal interviews and laboratory testing of cervical exfoliated cells. HPV was detected using a GP5+/6+ polymerase chain reaction assay.


RESULTS
The average age of participants was 43 years (standard deviation = 16.1 y) and the percentage of lifetime monogamy was 79%. The age-adjusted HPV prevalence was 3.0%. Independent HPV determinants were being born overseas (odds ratio [OR], 8.1; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.9-33.5), being divorced (OR, 6.7; 95% CI, 1.9-24.3), reporting more than one sexual partner (OR, 2.6; 95% CI, 1.0-6.5), and smoking marijuana and related products (OR, 5.2; 95% CI, 1.2-21.7). Use of condoms with regular partner was protective (OR, 0.14; 95% CI, 0.02-1.0).


CONCLUSIONS
The study confirms a low overall HPV prevalence in a largely monogamous population. The protection observed with condom use needs further evaluation.
de Sanjose
Silvia
S
Servei d'Epidemiologia i Registre del Cancer, Institut Catala d'Oncologia, Gran Via km 2.7 E-08907 L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain. s.sanjose@ico.scs.es
Almirall
Rosa
R
Lloveras
Belen
B
Font
Rebeca
R
Diaz
Mireia
M
Muñoz
Nubia
N
Català
Isabel
I
Meijer
Chris J L M
CJ
Snijders
Peter J F
PJ
Herrero
Rolando
R
Bosch
F Xavier
FX
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D019352:Censuses; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000821:virology; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D027383:Papillomaviridae / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D015995:Prevalence; D011897:Random Allocation; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D014412:Tumor Virus Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D014504:Urban Health; D016387:Women's Health
D004279:DNA, Viral