Cross-sectional study of HPV-16 infection in a population-based subsample of Hispanic adults

Abstract

ObjectiveThis study aimed to estimate the prevalence and correlates of seropositivity to human papillomavirus (HPV)-16 in a subsample of adults who participated in the parent study Epidemiology of Hepatitis C in the adult population of Puerto Rico (PR).SettingThe parent study was a population-based household survey aimed to estimate the seroprevalence of hepatitis C and other viral infections (hepatitis A, hepatitis B, HIV, and herpes simplex type 2) in PR (n=1654) between 2005 and 2008.ParticipantsA subsample of the last 450 consecutive adults aged 21–64 years, recruited between February 2007 and January 2008, who participated in the parent study and agreed to participate in HPV testing.Primary and secondary outcome measuresThe samples were tested by ELISA for HPV-16 viral-like particle-specific immunoglobulin G. Information on sociodemographic, health, and lifestyle characteristics was collected. Logistic regression modelling was used to estimate the prevalence odds ratio (POR) to assess factors associated to HPV-16 seropositivity.ResultsPrevalence of seropositivity to HPV-16 was 11.3%. Seroprevalence was higher in women (15.8%) than men (5.6%; p=0.001). After adjusting for age and sex, ever smokers (POR 2.06, 95% CI 1.08 to 3.92) and participants with at least five lifetime sexual partners (POR 2.91, 95% CI 1.24 to 6.81) were more likely to be HPV-16 seropositive.ConclusionsHPV-16 seropositivity is similar to that reported in the USA (10.4%) for NHANES 2003–2004 participants, although different assays were used in these studies. While future studies should evaluate HPV seroprevalence using a larger population-based sample, our results highlight the need to further understand the burden of HPV infection and HPV-related malignancies in PR, population with a low vaccine uptake.

Seroprevalence of HPV 6, 11, 16 and 18 and correlates of exposure in unvaccinated women aged 16–64 years in Puerto Rico

“…Our study showed a decreasing trend in HPV seropositivity with increasing age for HPV 16 and HPV 18; higher HPV 16 seroprevalence was also previously reported in younger Puerto Rican women, although no significant differences were observed across age-groups in that smaller study [12] . However, some epidemiological studies report a seropositivity peak between 30 and 44 years and then a decline through older ages [9] , [10] , [17] and others report an increasing trend of seropositivity as age increases [21] , [22] .…”

“…Puerto Rico is not sampled as part of NHANES, and data on HPV in this Hispanic population is limited. In a subsample of a population-based household survey conducted in 2007–2008 among individuals aged 21–64 years, 15.8% of women were seropositive to HPV 16 [12] . This study determines 2010–2013 seroprevalence to HPV 6, 11, 16 and 18 among a population-based sample of Hispanic women aged 16–64 years living in the San Juan metropolitan area (SJMA) of Puerto Rico and describes epidemiologic correlates of seropositivity.…”

High Prevalence of Human Papillomavirus in Colorectal Cancer in Hispanics: A Case-Control Study

“…A high prevalence of HPV-related cancers [ 21 – 23 ] and a high prevalence of HPV in anogenital samples have been reported among Puerto Rican men and women [ 24 ]. The seroprevalence of HPV-16 was reported to be 11.3% in a population-based sample of adults in PR [ 25 ], which is similar to that reported in the USA (11.5%) [ 26 ]. Thus, given the high CRC mortality rates and the high incidence of HPV related morbidities in PR, the overall aim of this case-control study was to evaluate the association between CRC and HPV infection in samples from Puerto Rican Hispanics.…”

Colorectal Cancer Trends in California and the Need for Greater Screening of Hispanic Men

“…20,27 Several intervention strategies may be effective in increasing knowledge and uptake of screening guidelines. Two recent reviews described successful intervention strategies for Hispanic CRC screening, 28,29 including the use of bilingual navigators who are members of the targeted community, educational interventions aimed at providers, and culturally sensitive printed materials.…”