CERVICAL HUMAN PAPILLOMA-VIRUS INFECTION OF WOMEN ATTENDING SOCIAL HYGIENE CLINICS IN HONG-KONG

OBJECTIVE: To find the prevalence of HPV infection in women attending a sexually transmitted disease clinic in Hong Kong. METHOD: Cervical H PV infection was identified by cervical cytology and DNA filter in-sit u-hybridization (Virapap(TM) techniques in 207 women attending a socia l hygiene clinic. Other risk factors for cervical cancer were assessed and any association with HPV infection was sought. Statistical analys is was carried out using the chi2-test. RESULT: The prevalence of HPV infection in the 20 7 Chinese women was 8.2% by cervical smear and 12. 6% by DNA filter in-situ-hybridization. Risk factors for cervical canc er were not significantly associated with HPV infection in this group, 95% of whom were prostitutes. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of HPV infec tion in this group at high risk for cervical cancer is higher than in low-risk pregnant women, however the prevalence of HPV infection in Ho ng Kong is at the low end of the range of figures quoted for Caucasian s. The cause of such a low prevalence is yet to be determined.