Human Papillomavirus Prevalence Is Associated with Socioeconomic Gradients Within a Medically Underserved Appalachian Region

S. Lee Ware, Richard Crosby, Rebecca Fisher, Michael E. Hagensee

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objectives To assess type-specific prevalence of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection in a medically underserved Appalachian area and to determine whether gradients in poverty are associated with prevalence. Methods Among 398 women, a validated assay tested self-collected cervicovaginal samples for 37 HPV types. Three economic strata were created based on household income: below the federal poverty level for 1 person, between the FPLs for families of 1 to 4 persons, and above the FPL for a family of 4. Results Prevalence was 55.6%, with 33% having at least 1 high-risk infection. Prevalence was 27.8% for 9-valent HPV vaccine-preventable types and 39.2% for multiple types. Compared with FPL for a family of 4, women with federal poverty level for 1 person had 3 times greater prevalence, 2.3 times greater prevalence of high-risk types, and 2.5 times greater prevalence of multiple types. Conclusion Human papillomavirus prevalence was high, with one-third of the sample having at least 1 high-risk type and those in the lowest-income category being disproportionately infected.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)750-755
Number of pages6
JournalSexually Transmitted Diseases
Volume44
Issue number12
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 1 2017

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2017 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Dermatology
  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
  • Microbiology (medical)
  • Infectious Diseases

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