Epidemiology of, and behavioural risk factors for, sexually transmitted human papillomavirus infection in men and women in Britain

• Published in: Sexually transmitted infections Vol. 88; no. 3; pp. 212 - 217
• Main Authors: Johnson, Anne M, Mercer, Catherine H, Beddows, Simon, de Silva, Natasha, Desai, Sarika, Howell-Jones, Rebecca, Carder, Caroline, Sonnenberg, Pam, Fenton, Kevin A, Lowndes, Catherine, Soldan, Kate
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London BMJ Publishing Group Ltd 01.04.2012; BMJ Publishing Group; BMJ Publishing Group LTD; BMJ Group
• Series: Original article
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Biological and medical sciences; Cervical cancer; cervix; Chlamydia; Cross-Sectional Studies; DNA, Viral - genetics; DNA, Viral - isolation & purification; Epidemiology; Epidemiology. Vaccinations; Female; General aspects; genital infection; genital warts; Genotype; Heterosexuality; heterosexuals; HPV; Human infectious diseases. Experimental studies and models; Human papillomavirus; Humans; Immunization; Infections; Infectious diseases; Laboratories; laboratory diagnosis; Male; Medical sciences; Medical screening; Papillomaviridae - classification; Papillomaviridae - isolation & purification; Papillomavirus Infections - epidemiology; Papillomavirus Infections - transmission; Probability; Public health. Hygiene; Public health. Hygiene-occupational medicine; Research ethics; risk behaviours; Risk Factors; Risk-Taking; sexual behaviour; sexual health; sexual practices; Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Viral - epidemiology; Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Viral - transmission; sexually transmitted infection; Sociodemographics; std control; std surveillance; Surveys and Questionnaires; United Kingdom - epidemiology; Urine; Urine - virology; Vaccines; virology general laboratory; virology HIV; Warts; Women; women's issues; Young Adult; United Kingdom > UK; Papillomavirus; Virus; Human; Infection; Human papillomavirus; Sexually transmitted disease; Risk factor; Female; Male; Papovaviridae; Woman; Epidemiology
• ISSN: 1368-4973; 1472-3263
• DOI: 10.1136/sextrans-2011-050306

ObjectivesPersistent infection with high-risk sexually transmitted human papillomaviruses (HR-HPVs) can lead to development of cervical and other cancers, while low-risk types (low-risk HPV) may cause genital warts. We explored the epidemiology of different HPV types in men and women and their association with demographic and behavioural variables.MethodsWe analysed data collected for the British National Survey of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles, a cross-sectional survey undertaken in 1999–2001. Half of all sexually experienced male and female respondents aged 18–44 years were invited to provide a urine sample. We tested 3123 stored urine samples using an in-house Luminex-based HPV genotyping system.ResultsHPV DNA was detected in 29.0% (95% CI 26.7% to 31.3%) of samples from women and 17.4% (95% CI 15.1% to 19.8%) from men. Any of 13 HR-HPV types was detected in 15.9% (95% CI 14.1% to 17.8%) of women and 9.6% (95% CI 8.0% to 11.6%) of men. HPV types 16/18 were found in 5.5% (95% CI 4.5% to 6.8%) of women and 3.0% (95% CI 2.1% to 4.3%) of men; and types 6/11 in 4.7% (95% CI 1.8% to 5.9%) of women and 2.2% (95% CI 1.5% to 3.1%) of men. In multivariate analysis, HR-HPV was associated with new partner numbers, in women with younger age, single status and partner concurrency, and in men with number of partners without using condom(s) and age at first intercourse.ConclusionsHPV DNA was detectable in urine of a high proportion of the sexually active British population. In both genders, HR-HPV was strongly associated with risky sexual behaviour. The minority of HPV infections were of vaccine types. It is important to monitor HPV prevalence and type distribution following the introduction of vaccination of girls.