DETECÇÃO DO GENOMA DO PAPILOMAVIRUS HUMANO EM ESTUDANTES UNIVERSITÁRIAS, COM IDADES ENTRE 18 E 25 ANOS, DA REGIÃO DE SÃO LUÍS DE MONTES BELOS GOIÁS

Abstract

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infections are highly prevalent among young women and they are considered the most prevalent sexually transmitted infection worldwide. The relationship between cervical carcinogenesis and HPV is well established. Objectives: to study the prevalence of HPV infection and possible risk factors associated with HPV infection and cytopathological abnormalities in a group of university students, aged from 18 to 25 years old, from a Central area in Brazil. Methods: a cross-sectional study was developed in São Luis de Montes Belos, Goiás, Brazil, and it comprised 107 university students. Socio-demographic, behavioural, sexual related and obstetrical data were obtained from all the students by responding a questionnaire. The students were subjected to gynecological examination and to collection of cervical specimens for cytological and molecular analysis. The Bethesda Cytology Classification was used for the evaluation of cytological abnormalities. Results: the prevalence of HPV infection was 39.3% (95%CI: 30, 0-49.2). HPV infection was significantly associated with the age under 15 years old at the first intercourse (OR: 2.7; 95%CI: 1.1-6.7), and with three or more sexual partners during sexual life (OR: 2.4; 95%CI: 0.9-6.3). The prevalence of cytological abnormalities was 3.7% and none of the examined factors were significantly associated with the presence of such abnormalities. Conclusions: The results of our study demonstrated a high prevalence of HPV infection in young Brazilian women. First intercourse before the age of 15 years old, and the history of more than three sexual partners during lifetime were significantly associated to HPV infection.