Prevalence of oral HPV infection in unvaccinated young adults in Brazil

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to report the national prevalence of oral HPV infection among unvaccinated women and men aged 16-25 years who utilized the public primary care services.

Methods: POP-Brazil is a cross-sectional, multicentric, nationwide survey conducted between September 2016 and November 2017. Recruitment was based in 119 public primary care practices in 26 state capitals and the Federal District of Brazil. Trained health professionals conducted face-to-face interviews. Oral samples were collected with mouthwash and gargle cycles. Genotyping was performed using the Roche PCR-based linear array genotyping test. Sampling weights by sex and age were applied.

Results: Valid oral HPV samples were collected from 5071 (96.88%) participants; 4005 women and 1066 men. Mean participant age was 21.63 years. Overall HPV prevalence was 1.69% (n = 73, 95% CI 1.05-2.32). Thirty individuals presented at least one high-risk HPV type [0.57% (95% CI, 0.29-0.85)]. There were no associations between age, sex, sociodemographic characteristics, drug use or sexual behavior and oral HPV prevalence.

Conclusion: The prevalence of oral HPV infection in Brazilian teenagers and young adults is low, with no sociodemographic or behavioral correlates.

Keywords: Cross-sectional studies; Epidemiology; Health surveys; Human papillomavirus; Oral medicine; PCR; Virology.