Young women's risk for first HPV infection was high and increased when the first male partner was sexually experienced

Question In female university students, what factors influence risk for acquiring human papillomavirus (HPV) infection from a first male sex partner? Methods Design: Prospective cohort study with a mean follow-up of 28 months. Setting: University in Seattle, WA, USA. Participants: 130 female university students 18 to 22 years of age who had had their first sexual intercourse with 1 male partner in the previous 3 months or had never done so and had their first intercourse during follow-up. Mean age at first intercourse was 19 years. Risk factors: Age at first intercourse, years between menarche and first intercourse, partner's age, and partner's number of previous sex partners (as reported by the woman). Outcomes: First HPV infection (HPV DNA testing using polymerase chain reaction methods and genotyping were done on self-collected vaginal swabs and clinician-collected cervical and vulvovaginal swabs every 4 mo). Follow-up started after first report of vaginal intercourse. Participants were censored when they had intercourse with a second male partner or at the last follow-up visit. Main results 39 women (30%) acquired HPV infection during follow-up. By survival analysis, the cumulative incidence of HPV infection associated with a first male sex partner was 29% (95% CI 21 to 39) at 12 months, 39% (CI 29 to 52) at 24 months, and 49% (CI 36 to 64) at 36 months. By multivariate analysis, only the male partner's number of previous sex partners was independently associated with risk for HPV infection (Table). Conclusion In female university students, risk for acquiring a first incident human papillomavirus infection was high and associated with the number of previous partners of their first male partner.