title: Human papillomavirus prevalence to age 60 years among Australian women prevaccination.
abstract: Background The prevalence of human papillomavirus (HPV) at the cervix varies with age, peaking following sexual debut and declining thereafter in most populations. In some populations, a second peak is observed. Here we describe the prevalence of HPV at the cervix among Australian women before the commencement of the HPV vaccination program.
  
  
  METHODS
  Women aged 15 to 60 years attending health services for cervical screening between 2005 and 2008 were invited to participate. Liquid based cervical specimens were tested for 37 types of HPV using linear array. The percentage and 95% confidence interval of women with any type of HPV, any of 13 high risk HPV types, and with vaccine-preventable HPV types (types 6, 11, 16 and 18) were estimated in 5-year age bands.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among 1929 women aged 15-60 years, HPV prevalence peaked at 64% at age 15-20 years, then declined gradually to 12% at age 41-45 years, whereafter it rose to 19% in women 51-55 years then returned to 14% in 56-60 year olds. Prevalence curves were similar for high-risk HPV types and vaccine-targeted HPV types 6, 11, 16 and 18 and when results were restricted to women with only normal cytology.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The shape of the prevalence curve we observed is similar to those from other Western populations. Variation in prevalence curves is likely due to differences in sexual behaviour between populations and over time, reactivation of HPV during perimenopause, and possibly the presence of cervical screening programs. These data are the first such data from the Oceania region.
authors.affiliation: National HPV Vaccination Program Register, PO Box 310, East Melbourne, Vic. 8002, Australia.
authors.forename: Julia M L
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Brotherton
authors.affiliation: Menzies School of Health Research, PO Box 41096, Casuarina, NT 0811, Australia.
authors.forename: John R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Condon
authors.affiliation: National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance, University of Sydney and The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Locked Bag 4001, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia.
authors.forename: Peter B
authors.initials: PB
authors.lastname: McIntyre
authors.affiliation: Regional World Health Organisation Human Papillomavirus Laboratory Network, Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, The Royal Women's Hospital, Locked Bag 300, Grattan Street and Flemington Road, Parkville, Vic. 3052, Australia.
authors.forename: Sepehr N
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Tabrizi
authors.affiliation: National HPV Vaccination Program Register, PO Box 310, East Melbourne, Vic. 8002, Australia.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Malloy
authors.affiliation: Regional World Health Organisation Human Papillomavirus Laboratory Network, Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, The Royal Women's Hospital, Locked Bag 300, Grattan Street and Flemington Road, Parkville, Vic. 3052, Australia.
authors.forename: Suzanne M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Garland
authors.forename: On Behalf Of The
authors.initials: OB
authors.lastname: Whinurs Study Group