Human papillomavirus incidence and risk factors among Mexican female college students.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the factors associated with high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) and its incidence in a cohort of female college students, with particular emphasis on the use of condoms.

METHODS: A cohort was created during 2001 to 2005. The students signed informed consent, answered a questionnaire, and provided a vaginal scrape to detect HR-HPV. Incidences were estimated and risk factors were evaluated using Cox proportional risk model. The variable condom use was constructed based on the following 3 measurements: relative frequency throughout one's lifetime, use during the first sexual relationship, and use during the last sexual relationship.

RESULTS: A total of 237 women participated, providing 395.6 person-years of follow-up. An incidence of 15.9 HR-HPV infection per 100 person-years was estimated and the factors associated with HR-HPV infection were found to be self-reported sexually transmitted infections (RR = 2.7), use of emergency contraception pill (ECP) (RR = 2.0), and having 2 or more sexual partners (RR = 1.9). University students using the ECP demonstrated more risky sexual behavior than nonusers. Women with 2 or more sexual partners who reported inconsistent condom use had 3.8 times the rate of HR-HPV infection.

CONCLUSIONS: The incidence for HR-HPV in this cohort of Mexican female college students is comparable to that found in the United States and Canada. The results suggest that the consistent use of condoms is a protective factor against HR-HPV, especially for women with multiple sexual partners and/or those who use the ECP.