Pathogens (Jan 2023)

Cross-Sectional Analysis of Human Papillomavirus Infection and Cytological Abnormalities in Brazilian Women

  • Luis Fernando Lasaro Mangieri,
  • Fernando Cezar-dos-Santos,
  • Kleber Paiva Trugilo,
  • Maria Angelica Ehara Watanabe,
  • Rafaela Roberta de Jaime Curti,
  • Eliza Pizarro Castilha,
  • Sarah Lott Moretto,
  • Caroline Yukari Motoori Fernandes,
  • Janaina Nicolau de Oliveira,
  • Karen Brajão de Oliveira

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens12010148
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 12, no. 1
p. 148

Abstract

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The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of infections and cytological abnormalities and to investigate possible predisposing factors such as sociodemographic characteristics, sexual behavioral habits, and gynecological and obstetric backgrounds. Between 2013 and December 2016, a cross-sectional study was conducted among 429 consenting women, from whom cervical samples were tested for the presence of Human papillomavirus (HPV) by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Susceptibility to HPV infection was assessed by binary logistic regression in light of possible predisposing factors, which were collected using a questionnaire. In our sample population, the prevalence of HPV infection was 49%; high-risk types had a higher prevalence of 89.1%. A larger proportion of HPV-infected women were under 25 years of age, were single, and had monthly incomes up to minimum wage. Multivariate binary logistic regression analysis showed that age younger than 25 years increased the odds of infection fivefold, while a monthly income of one to three minimum wages provided protection against HPV infection, even if the women were married or had a cohabiting partner. In the HPV-positive group, squamous intraepithelial lesions (SIL) occurred more frequently in women who earned up to one minimum wage monthly, but a monthly income of one to three minimum wages protected against the development of SIL. The results suggest that age, marital status, and monthly income are important cofactors for HPV infection and the development of SIL.

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