Human papillomavirus: a highly prevalent sexually transmitted disease agent among female sex workers from Mexico City.

BACKGROUND

Cervical cancer, a human papillomavirus (HPV)-caused neoplasia, is highly prevalent in Mexico.

GOAL

To determine the prevalence of HPV infection in female sex workers (FSW) from Mexico City and to assess the association between HPV infection and the characteristics of these women.

STUDY DESIGN

A questionnaire was applied to 495 FSW. Cervical cell specimens were obtained for DNA amplification and hybridization to detect 27 HPV types. A risk factor analysis was performed.

RESULTS

The overall prevalence of HPV infection was 48.9%. The prevalence of high-risk HPV types was 43%, whereas that of low-risk types was 24.6%. A total of 18.8% of study participants was infected with both high-risk and low-risk HPV types, and 28.5% were infected with two or more HPV types. Younger age and failure to use a condom were independently associated HPV risks (odds ratio, 7.3 and 2.3; 95% CI, 3.5-15.0 and 1.2-4.4, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Infection with high-risk and multiple HPV types is high among Mexican FSW. This study corroborated a higher infection rate in younger women. A higher risk of HPV infection is also observed in women who have been involved with sex work for less than 1 year. However, condom use showed a protective effect against HPV infection.