Low Prevalence of Human Papillomavirus Infection in Northern Greece

A recent study conducted in northern Greece has found a surprisingly low prevalence of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection among women attending gynecologic clinics in the region. The study, published in the European Journal of Cancer Prevention, aimed to estimate HPV prevalence and its determinants among 1,296 women attending six gynecological outpatient clinics in northern Greece. The researchers gathered their data through personal interviews and the study of cervical exfoliated cells, with HPV DNA detected using a reverse line-blot polymerase chain reaction.

Key Takeaways:

• The overall HPV prevalence in the study was 2.5%, which is among the lowest ever reported internationally.
• Young age and parity were identified as the two independent risk factors associated with an increased prevalence of HPV.
• The prevalence odds ratio (POR) for women younger than 27 years was 5.31 (95% confidence interval (CI)=1.53-18.44) compared to women older than 42 years.
• The POR for nulliparous women was 4.15 (95% CI=1.35-12.76) compared to women with two or more children.
• HPV was detected in 10 out of 12 women with low-grade cervical intraepithelial lesions (CIN) and in 3 out of 4 with high-grade CIN.
• The study's findings have significant implications for targeting high-risk groups for cervical cancer prevention.

Statistics:

• 1,296 women participated in the study.
• The overall HPV prevalence was 2.5%.
• The prevalence odds ratio (POR) for young age was 5.31 (95% CI=1.53-18.44).
• The POR for nulliparous women was 4.15 (95% CI=1.35-12.76).

Sources:

• Agorastos, T., et al. (2004). Cervical human papillomavirus infection in women attending gynaecological outpatient clinics in northern Greece. Eur J Cancer Prev, 13(2), 145-147.
• Health & Medicine Week editors (2004). Low Prevalence of Human Papillomavirus Infection in Northern Greece. NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net.