Correlates of Human Papillomavirus Infection Among a National Sample of Sexual Minority Women

BACKGROUND: Many sexual minority women are infected with human papillomavirus (HPV), yet little is known about correlates of HPV infection among this population.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed data from a national sample of sexual minority women (i.e., women who either reported a history of female sexual partners or identified as nonheterosexual) aged 20-59 from the 2003 to 2012 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (n = 830). Weighted logistic regression identified correlates of infection with any HPV type and infection with a high-risk HPV type.

RESULTS: About 53% of women were infected with any HPV type, and about 37% were infected with a high-risk HPV type. Women who reported five or more sexual partners during their lifetime (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 5.07, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.26-11.42) were more likely to be infected with a high-risk HPV type. Compared to women aged 20-29, women aged 40-49 (aOR = 0.51, 95% CI: 0.32-0.81) or 50-59 (aOR = 0.27, 95% CI: 0.14-0.53) were less likely to be infected with a high-risk HPV type, as were women who were married or living with a partner (aOR = 0.62, 95% CI: 0.44-0.89). Mostly similar correlates were identified for infection with any HPV type, although infection with any HPV type was also less common among women who identified as lesbian compared to those who identified as heterosexual (aOR = 0.38, 95% CI: 0.21-0.68).

CONCLUSIONS: Demographic and health-related characteristics were associated with HPV infection outcomes. Findings can inform HPV prevention efforts for sexual minority women by providing information about risk factors and subgroups at particular risk for infection.