Human papillomavirus infection in female sex workers in Lima, Peru.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence and risk factors for human papillomavirus (HPV) infection in female sex workers (FSW) in Lima, Peru. METHODS: Cross-sectional study of 87 FSW. Information regarding demographics, sex work practices, and genital and blood specimens was collected. RESULTS: Forty-four (50.6%) of 87 FSW had HPV detected in cervical swabs. The prevalence of coinfection by two or more HPV types was 39.1%. Thirty-one (35.6%) were infected by at least one high-risk HPV type, representing 70.5% of women with HPV infection. HPV infection was associated with younger age but not with any demographic or sexual characteristics. CONCLUSIONS: Our study confirms the high prevalence of HPV infection in FSW reported by other groups and suggests that brothel-based FSW may be at lower risk for acquiring high-risk HPV infection.