Age-specific distribution of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) mucosal infection among young females

Abstract

The goal of our study was to describe the age-specific distribution of HPV genotypes and related disease among females under the age of 25 years. A prospective cohort study was carried out. We enrolled 85 young females aged 16 -25 years (30 aged 16 -19 and 55 aged 20 -25 years) referred to our colposcopic unit after a repeated abnormal Pap smear result. Every patient underwent an HPV DNA testing, a colposcopy and eventually a cervical biopsy. Participants were proposed to follow-up or treatment on request. Treatment was performed by destructive or excisional laser CO 2 therapy. Data were analyzed by Fisher's Exact test. The overall prevalence of low-risk HPV amounted to 80% among 16 -19-year-old girls, while the overall prevalence of high-risk HPV was 85.5% among 20 -25-year-old patients. The univariate analysis of chosen characteristics of HPV-disease demonstrates the statistically significative difference of this infection between the two groups of age (P < 0.005). We observed a particular age-specific stratification of HPV genotypes and related disease, which appeared to be characterized by a cut-off at the age of 20 years. According to our data, cervical screening program in Italy seems to start later than the beginning of HPV-related pathology.

An Experience in the Prevention of HPV by and for Adolescents: A Community Randomized Trial of the Effect of Peer Health Education on Primary Prevention in a 1-Year Follow Up

“…Controls of infection from HPV, carried out in four continents by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (Lyon), have proved that the majority of the infection varies substantially from one population to another and ranges from 2% to 50% in women aged between 15 and 64. A higher percentage by 15% was found in women aged between 15 and 19 years of age but the highest percentage and incidence of infection from HPV can be found in sexually active adolescents, in fact between 50% and 80% of them catch the infection within two to three years from their first sexual relationship (Baseman & Koutsky, 2005;Louvanto, Rintala, Syrjänen, Grénman, & Syrjänen, 2011;Piana, Sotgiu, Castiglia et al, 2011;Pieralli, Fallani, Lozza et al, 2011;Vaccarella, 2010). In Italy the vaccination against HPV is offered free of charge and on an active basis to pre-adolescents when they are twelve years of age, as defined in the Agreement between the Ministry of Health and the independent regions/ provinces dated 20th December 2007, in compliance with the indications provided by the World Health Organisation and on the basis of the regulations contained in the Guidelines of several industrialized countries (Bartolozzi et al, 2007;Friedman, Kahn, & Middleman, 2006; Agreement between the Government, Regions, Independent Provinces of Trento and Bolzano concerning "Strategies for the active offer of the vaccination L. ELISA ET AL.…”

“…Therefore the complete investigation will be presented with the objective of promoting adhesion to the primary and secondary prevention programmes and providing information on the characteristics, potentials and limits of the vaccination. The target chosen is represented by secondary school students due to the high percentage of individuals belonging to the adolescent age group (Baseman & Koutsky, 2005;Louvanto, Rintala, Syrjänen, Grénman, & Syrjänen, 2011;Piana, Sotgiu, Castiglia et al, 2011;Pieralli, Fallani, Lozza et al, 2011;Vaccarella, 2010) and because, not having participated in the active offer of vaccination through a greater awareness, they may submit themselves spontaneously (Do & Wong, 2012).…”

“…Not even knowledge represents a sure indicator of behaviour change in health care, however it is an essential and vital presupposition to identify the age group that requires the most information (Di Giuseppe, Abbate, Liguori et al, 2008;Piana, Sotgiu, Castiglia et al, 2011;Pieralli, Fallani, Lozza et al, 2011). Table 2 provides the results achieved from an analysis of data related to knowledge, behaviour and attitudes of the students and the differences found between the two groups (experimental and control) with reference to the pre-questionnaires and post-questionnaires in T0, T1 and T2.…”

“…Paradoxically, it seems that the girls that have shown the greatest inclination to the HPV vaccination may benefit less from the vaccination. In reality, in light of the proof available on the HPV vaccination, these girls may already be infected by HPV due to their high risk sexual behaviour (Piana, Sotgiu, Castiglia et al, 2011;Pieralli, Fallani, Lozza et al, 2011;Vaccarella, 2010).…”