Human papillomavirus frequency of women at low risk of developing cervical cancer: a preliminary study from a Turkish university hospital

PURPOSE: To investigate the frequency of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection among low-risk women for cervical cancer in our region. METHODS: In one year period, 230 consecutive women at low risk of developing cervical cancer were enrolled to the study. HPV DNA testing was performed by Hybrid Capture-I System (HC-I) and groups were constituted by HPV-positive and HPV-negative women. A comparison of the groups according to age, obstetric history and age at the beginning of sexual intercourse was made. Statistical analysis was performed. RESULTS: The frequency rate of HPV infection was demonstrated to be 6.1% (n = 14) in our study (5.9% in women < or = 45 years and 7.7% in women > 45 years). Age-dependent differences were not observed between groups. There was no significant difference between HPV-positive and negative women regarding obstetric characteristics and mean age at first intercourse. CONCLUSION: This study provided significant information on the frequency of HPV infection of low-risk women in our region. When considered with studies performed in other countries, our study may give some help on the natural history of HPV infection and cervical squamous lesions.