Exploring the relationship between oral high-risk HPV infection and sexual behavior among over 400 medical professionals in Japan

This study investigated the relationship between oral high-risk HPV (HR HPV) infection and sexual behavior in Japanese medical professionals. We collected oral specimens and a self–administered questionnaire from 234 men and 171 women. The oral HR HPV infection prevalence was 4.7% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.0–7.2]) overall, 7.3% (95% CI: 4.6–11.3) for men, and 1.2% (95% CI: 0.3–4.2) for women. The number of sex partners had a significant influence on this prevalence, with variation by type of sexual behavior. The prevalence of oral HR HPV infection was significantly higher (p  5, only vaginal>5, only oral>5, and both≤5), the infection prevalence was significantly higher when both vaginal and oral sex partners were more than five (12.5%, 95% CI: 7.7–19.6). The prevalence was also higher for those who had more oral than vaginal partners, compared with other groups (13.5%, 95% CI: 6.7–25.3). Oral HR HPV infection in Japan seems to be influenced by sexual behavior, and preventive health efforts such as vaccination and health education should be implemented.