EPIDEMIOLOGY OF GENITAL HUMAN-PAPILLOMAVIRUS INFECTIONS

Specific types of human papillomaviruses (HPV) are major aetiologic ag ents of cancers of the cervix, vulva, vagina, penis and anus, Although genital HPV infections are extremely common in both male and female p opulations, only a very small minority is at risk for developing a gen ital cancer, As with other sexually transmitted infections, the highes t rates of genital HPV infection are found in individuals in their ear ly twenties, Detectable HPV DNA is often transient, Cancer-associated HPV types persist a relatively longer time than other types do. The ma jor risk factors for HPV infection involve sexual behaviour, particula rly multiple sex partners. Factors including cigarette smoking, oral c ontraceptive use and pregnancy do not appear to play much of a role in the acquisition of HPV infection.