Risk factors for human papillomavirus infection among women in Portugal: the CLEOPATRE Portugal Study

To investigate demographic, socioeconomic, lifestyle, and medical factors that might predispose women to cervical human papillomavirus (HPV) infection.

A cross-sectional population-based study was performed. Women aged 18-64 years who attended selected obstetrics and gynecology or sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinics in mainland Portugal between February 2008 and March 2009 were recruited, according to an age-stratified sampling strategy. Liquid-based cytology samples were analyzed centrally for HPV genotype and for cytologic features. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses identified risk factors for HPV infection.

Among the 2326 women evaluated, the crude prevalence of HPV infection was 19.4%. Lifetime number of sexual partners was a strong predictor of HPV infection (odds ratio 5.44 for 5-10 partners versus 1 partner; P<0.001). Other risk factors were young age (particularly among women aged 20-24 years; P<0.001); country of birth other than mainland Portugal (P=0.002); education up to secondary school level (P=0.010); smoking history (≤ 10 years; P=0.004); and any STD in the past 12 months (P=0.052).

Data from the present study may aid identification of women at increased risk of HPV infection and target prevention strategies.

National Commission of Data Protection (CNPD) registration number 5346/2007; Sanofi Pasteur MSD study number HPV-E05.