Papillomavirus Res

BackgroundTo understand risk factors for HPV exposure in Puerto Rican women, we evaluated HPV 6, 11, 16, and 18 serology in women aged living in the San Juan metropolitan area.MethodsAs part of a cross-sectional study, a population-based sample of 524 HPV unvaccinated Hispanic women ages 16\u201364 years completed face-to-face and computer assisted interviews and provided blood and self-collected anal and cervical specimens. Serology used multiplex virus-like particle based-IgG ELISA and HPV DNA was detected with L1-consensus PCR.Results32% and 47% were seropositive to HPV types included in the bivalent (16/18) and quadrivalent (6/11/16/18) vaccines, respectively. Type-specific seroprevalence was HPV6\u202f 12\u202f29%, HPV11\u202f 12\u202f18%, HPV16\u202f 12\u202f23%, and HPV18 12 17%; seroprevalence was high in the youngest age-group (16\u201319: 26\u201337%). HPV seropositivity was associated with having 65\u202f3 lifetime sexual partners (OR=2.5, 95% CI=1.7\u20133.9) and detection of anogenital HPV DNA (OR=1.8, 95% CI=1.2\u20132.6).ConclusionsThe high cumulative exposure of HPV vaccine types 6/11/16/18 in this Hispanic population was influenced by factors related to HPV exposure through sexual behavior. High seroprevalence in the youngest age-group indicates early age of exposure to HPV in Puerto Rico, highlighting the need for HPV vaccination starting prior to age 16.U54 MD007587/MD/NIMHD NIH HHS/United StatesSC2 AI090922/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United StatesU54 RR026139/RR/NCRR NIH HHS/United States2018-03-16T00:00:00Z29555601PMC588695