In a study of 972 women, sexual characteristics of 66 women with a cer
vical human papillomavirus infection (CHPI) were compared to the remai
ning study population. Among a number of sexual variables that were si
gnificantly correlated with CHPI were number of lifetime sexual partne
rs, short partnerships, many recent partners, infidelity, casual trave
l sex, sexual debut abroad, oral and anal sex, and sexual abuse. In mu
ltifactorial analyses four variables remained significantly correlated
with CHPI, i.e., number of lifetime sexual partners, casual travel se
x, sexual debut abroad, and infidelity. It is concluded that CHPI show
s most of the epidemiological characteristics of a sexually transmitte
d disease.