Abstract
BackgroundExternal genital lesions (EGL) are the most common sexually transmitted infections (STIs). We aimed to evaluate the prevalence, determinants and sex differences in EGL among young adults from Brazil.MethodsOverall, 7694 participants (aged 16 to 25 years) underwent an interview, genital examination and sampling for HPV genotyping.ResultsThe prevalence of EGL was 4.08% (234) and is more frequent in men (5.72%) than women (2.31%) (p < 0.001). Genital lesions were significantly associated with male sex, infection by high-risk and multiple HPV types, having more than two sexual partners in the last year, smoking status and the presence of other STI. While alcohol use was associated with a higher prevalence of EGL in women, same-sex sexual relationship increase the prevalence in men. In the EGL group, 67.79% (p = 0.032) were positive for HPV infection and the types HPV6 and HPV11 were the most prevalent ones.ConclusionThe prevalence of EGL in young adults was consistently high, and most cases were associated with genital HPV infection and STIs. Although men have a higher prevalence, both sexes share most genital lesion determinants. The promotion of sexual education and vaccination especially focus in young men, who are usually outside the targets of primary health care programmes, can prevent EGL in Brazilian young adults.
Highlights
External genital lesions (EGL) are the most common sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
Considering that data regarding the prevalence of EGL and associated factors are scarce in Brazil, the purpose of this study is to evaluate the prevalence, determinants and sex differences in EGL among sexually active young adults from Brazil
Of the 7694 participants included in the study, the prevalence of EGL was 4.08%, and significant differences in prevalence were observed according to sex
Summary
External genital lesions (EGL) are the most common sexually transmitted infections (STIs). 90% of individuals with genital HPV infection do not develop symptoms as numerous individual factors are associated with different outcomes [4]. Several characteristics, such as sex, race/skin colour, age at first intercourse, smoking status, the presence of other sexually transmitted infections (STI), multiple HPV infections and lifetime number of sexual partners, have been linked to the presence of genital lesions [10]. The types commonly associated with genital lesions are included in the quadrivalent vaccine, multiple infection types can cause an increase in genital lesion incidence; it is important to understand the type distribution in the Brazilian population [11, 12]
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