[The prevalence of high-risk HPV infection in pregnant women from Morelos, México].
OBJECTIVE
Some studies suggest the possibility that the physiological process of pregnancy modifies certain characteristics of the mother, increasing the risk of both, infection and persistence of infection with HPV. This association, however, has not been firmly established. This study seeks to determine the prevalence of oncogenic HPV infecton in a sample of pregnant Mexican women and its possible risk factors.


METHODS
A cross-sectional study was conducted using a sample of 274 pregnant women sought first level of care services during the year 2000 at the antenatal clinic of the Mexican Institute of Social Security (IMSS) in Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico. Samples of vaginal cells were obtained through self-collected specimens, for the high-risk HPV DNA test using the Hybrid Capture 2 test (HC2). A structured questionnaire was administered regarding sociodemographic, gynecologic, obstetric and sexual behavior characteristics.


RESULTS
The mean age was 25.7 years. The average time of pregnancy when the study was conducted was 6 months. The principal risk factors associated with high-risk HPV infection were: ages between 20 and 29 (OR= 2.82; CI 95% 1.02-7.76)), age 30 and over (OR= 6.85,CI 95% 1.22-38.2); partners having sexual relations with other partners (OR= 2.05; CI 95% 1.2-3.7)); schooling less than 6 years (OR= 1.68 CI 95% 0.7-4.3); number of lifetime sexual partners > 2 (OR= 1.54 CI 95% 0.7-3.4); and current smoking (OR= 1.6 CI 95% 0.6-5.0).


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings show a higher prevalence of high-risk HPV infection in pregnant women, more than double, that reported in studies of non-pregnant women. The associated risk factors are similar to those of the non-pregnant population. Follow-up in these women is recommended in order to evaluate the persistence or regression of the infection.
Hernández-Girón
Carlos
C
Centro de Investigaciones en Salud Poblacional, Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico. chernand@correo.insp.mx
Smith
Jennifer S
JS
Lorincz
Attila
A
Arreola Cháidez
Emilio
E
Lazcano
Eduardo
E
Hernández-Avila
Mauricio
M
Salmerón
Jorge
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008800:Mexico / Q000453:epidemiology; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors