HPV IN FEMALES

HPV among Female Youth in Montgomery County, Virginia



HPV among Female Youth in Montgomery County, Virginia

Introduction

Human papilloma viruses (HPV) are a group of viruses that are transmitted by sexual contact. HPV is transmitted from skin to skin contact with an infected person during vaginal, anal, or oral sex. It can spread from an infected partner without any visible lesions who may not know he or she is infected. There are more than 120 variants of HPV viruses of these viruses that can infect humans; only 15 of them cause the formation of atypical cells of cervical epithelium, which can then be transformed into cancer cells.

It is estimated that HPV infection accounts for approximately 5% of all cancers in the world. Worldwide, between 10%-15% women are infected from HPV (CDC, 2009). In most cases, no apparent symptoms of infection exist, and human papilloma virus disappears by itself. However, in many cases, women act as carrier of HPV and virus continues to multiply. These women are at risk of developing cervical cancer. Vaccination is now available to anyone who wants to protect themselves from cervical cancer. However, this does not preclude the need to continue regular screening. Most of the women after the infection get rid of the virus within 6-24 months, and they do not even know (CDC, 2011a). However, some virus continues to evolve; women with long-term carriage of the virus are at risk for developing cervical cancer.

Major reason associate with the different patterns of sex (higher risk exists due to sexual promiscuity in sexual intercourses, which begin at an early age). HPV can also be transmitted from mother to child during vaginal childbirth.

Population Group and Statistics

Population group that has been selected for the analysis is female, age between 15 to 25 and living in the Montgomery County, Virginia. This age group represents only 25% share of sexually active population; statistics show that more than 50% sexually transmitted infection occur in this age group. Dempsey & Zimet (2008) reported that approximately 75% of all new HPV infections occur among those who are 15-24 years of age. This paper examines the prevalence rate of HPV infections in females, within the selected age bracket, living in the Montgomery County to assess the prevalence rate of HPV in the selected group. The paper examines the statistical data available to elaborate the relation between past trends and current rate of HPV infection (2008 and 2010) in females of Montgomery County, Virginia.

Estimates of the prevalence of HPV in the United States vary from 23% to 26.8% of the population. According to the CDC, there is an inverse relationship among prevalence of HPV and age with the highest prevalence in adolescents 14 to 19 years of age (35%) (Dempsey & Zimet, 2008). Individuals with HPV are generally asymptomatic. The CDC notes that in 90% of cases, the body's immune system will clear the infection within a couple of years (CDC, 2011a). In other cases, individuals may develop genital warts, which can be flat or elevated ...