Risk factors for cervical cancer among HPV positive women in Mexico

Objective. To identify factors that are associated with an increased risk of developing high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) or cancer among human papillomavirus (HPV)-positive women in Mexico. Material and Methods. A case-control study design was used. A total of 94 cases and 501 controls who met the study inclusion criteria were selected from the 7 732 women who participated in the Morelos HPV Study from May 1999 to June 2000. Risk factor information was obtained from interviews and from HPV viral load results. Odds ratios and 95 percent confidence intervals were estimated using unconditional multivariate regression. Results. Increasing age, high viral load, a young age at first sexual intercourse, and a low socio-economic status are associated with an increased risk of disease among HPV-positive women. Conclusions. These results could have important implications for future screening activities in Mexico and other low resource countries.