HPV prevalence peaks in 14- to 19-year-old women.(Gynecology)

JACKSONVILLE, FLA. -- The prevalence of high-risk human papillomavirus in U.S. women is highest in the 14- to 19-year-old age group, according to a presentation at an STD prevention conference sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

One HPV vaccine is expected to debut this summer and another before the end of the year, but the exact age group for which the vaccines will be recommended has not yet been determined.

"For the vaccine to have an optimal effect, it should be given before initiation of sexual behavior. A routine universal vaccination of 11- to 12-year-old females is under consideration," said Cristen Suhr, project coordinator of the HPV sentinel surveillance project sponsored by the CDC.

High-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) is defined as HPV 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59, and/or 68 in the HPV surveillance project.

An overall HR-HPV prevalence of 22%--regardless of race or age group--is among the findings of the HPV sentinel surveillance project. The prevalence of HR-HPV in 14- to 19-year-olds is 33%. The project is the first multisite surveillance to measure HR-HPV prevalence among U.S. women.

Researchers assessed 8,426 females aged 14-65 years old. Participants had a routine Pap smear between January 2003 and December 2005 in one of six cities: Baltimore, Boston, Denver, Los Angeles, New Orleans, or Seattle. Medical records were later abstracted for results.

Although nearly 60% of participants fell into the two youngest age groups (14- to 19-year-olds and 20- to 29-year-olds), "a strength of the ongoing HPV sentinel surveillance is inclusion of older age groups," said Ms. Suhr. "Older women were more likely to be enrolled through a primary care clinic, whereas younger women were more likely to be enrolled through a family planning or STD clinic.