Human Papillomavirus Infection in Female Sex Workers: A Case Control Study

Abstract

Background To determine the association of infection with human papillomavirus (HPV) and the occupation of female sex worker; and the correlation of infection with HPV with sociodemographic, clinical and behavioral characteristics of female sex workers. Methods We performed a case-control study of 217 female sex workers and 354 women without sex work in Durango City, Mexico. We determined the prevalence of infection with HPV in cervical samples of women using polymerase chain reaction, and HPV genotypes were determined using line probe assay. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were used to assess the association between the characteristics of women and infection. Results Twelve (5.5%) of the 217 sex workers, and 10 (2.8%) of the 354 control women were positive for HPV DNA (age-adjusted OR = 1.51; 95% CI: 0.62 - 3.68; P = 0.36). Six (50.0%) of the 12 HPV DNA positive sex workers had infections with high-risk genotypes (16, 31, 33, 35, 51, 58). Seven (70%) of the 10 HPV DNA positive control women had infections with high-risk genotypes (16, 18, 56, 58, and 66). The frequency of high risk genotypes in the control women was equal with that found in the female sex workers (P = 0.41). Logistic regression analysis showed that the variable alcohol consumption was associated with HPV infection (OR = 4.0; 95% CI: 1.0 - 16.0; P = 0.04). Conclusions No association between HPV infection and female sex work was found in our setting. High risk HPV genotypes were prevalent among the women studied. Results can be used for the design of preventive measures against HPV infection.

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“…Alcohol intake was associated with a higher positivity of HPV infection and HR-HPV types in men [ 30 ]. In women, alcohol intake was associated with a higher HPV viral load, a higher risk of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 1 (CIN1), and HPV infection in female sex workers [ 31 , 32 ]. The increase in genital lesions associated with alcohol could be due to an increase in the presence of HPV infection or a greater susceptibility to the development of EGL.…”

Prevalence and Genotype Distribution of Genital Human Papillomavirus Infection in Female Sex Workers in the World: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

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Evaluating sexual health in sex workers and men who have sex with men: the SMESH cross-sectional protocol study

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