Sexual behaviour and risk factors for the acquisition of human papillomavirus infections in young people in Italy: suggestions for future vaccination policies

BMC Public Health

Research Article

Paolo Castiglia¹  Andrea Piana¹  Francesca Casabona²  Roberto Gasparini²  Donatella Panatto²  Daniela Amicizia²  Cecilia Trucchi²  Piero Luigi Lai²  Carla Maria Zotti³  Giuseppina Masia⁴  Angelo Meloni⁴  Rosa Cristina Coppola⁴  Paolo Bonanni⁵  Sara Boccalini⁵  Angela Bechini⁵  Emilia Tiscione⁵ 

[1] Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy;Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, Via Pastore, 1, 16132, Genoa, Italy;Department of Public Health and Microbiology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy;Department of Public Health, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy;Department of Public Health, University of Florence, Florence, Italy;

关键词: Sexual behaviour;    Human papillomavirus;    Adolescents;    Young people;    HPV vaccination;    Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs);   

DOI  :  10.1186/1471-2458-12-623

 received in 2012-02-23, accepted in 2012-07-27,  发布年份 2012

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundHuman Papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection. The main risk factors correlated with HPV infection are: early sexual debut, the number of partners, frequency and type of sexual contact and partner’s sexual histories.We surveyed sexual habits among young people in order to provide information that might orient decision-makers in adopting HPV multi-cohort vaccination policies.MethodsWe administered a questionnaire to students (14–24 years old) in five Italian cities.Results7298 questionnaires were analyzed (4962 females and 2336 males); 55.3% of females (95% CI 53.9–56.7) and 52.5% of males (95% CI 50.5–54.5) reported regular sexual activity. The mean age at sexual debut was 15.7 ± 1.6 and 15.6 ± 1.6 for females and males, respectively, and the median age was 16 for both sexes.With regard to contraceptive use during the last year, 63.6% of males and 62.8% of females responded affirmatively; 42.6% of males and 42.8% of females used condoms.ConclusionThe results reveal precocious sexual activity among respondents, with the mean age at first intercourse declining as age decreases. Condom use proved to be scant. Considering lifestyle-related risk factors, males appear to have a higher probability of acquiring HPV infection than females.These data support the importance of promoting multi-cohort HPV vaccination strategies for females up to 25 years of age. It is essential to improve vaccination coverage through different broad-spectrum strategies, including campaigns to increase awareness of sexually transmitted diseases and their prevention.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© Panatto et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. 2012