Genotype Distribution and Behavioral Risk Factor Analysis of Human Papillomavirus Infection in Uyghur Women

We investigated the distribution of HPV genotypes in Uyghur women in Xinjiang region of China, andbehavioral factors which could predispose them to HPV infection. In this cross-sectional study, women aged15-59 years were recruited by cluster sampling method in Yutian region in 2009. Liquid-based cytology sampleswere analyzed centrally for HPV genotype with a linear array detector. Univariate and multivariate logisticregression analyses were performed to identify behavioral risk factors for HPV infection. A total of 883 Uyghurwomen were recruited successfully. The prevalence of high-risk HPV and low-risk HPV were 7.25% and 1.58%,respectively; the most common HPVs were HPV16, 51, 31, 39 and 58. We found that age of first sexual intercoursewas a strong predictor for HPV infection (odds ratio of 4.01 for ≤ 15 years versus ≥25). Having sexual partners ≥3 was the second predictor (OR 3.69, 95% CI 2.24-7.16). Cleaning the vagina after sex showed an increased riskof HPV infection (OR 2.72; 95% CI 1.98-5.13); Using the condom showed protective factors for HPV infection(OR 0.36; 95%CI0.12-0.53). HPV16, 51, 31, 39 and 58 were the priority types; the age of first sexual intercoursewas identified as a major risk factor for HPV infection. Other notable risks were number of sexual partnersand cleaning the vagina after sex. Changing these behavioral risk factors could help to reduce the occurrenceof cervical cancer in this population.