Prevalence and Associated Factors of HPV Infection in the Oropharyngeal Cavity Among University Students in a Southwest Population in Mexico

Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the leading cause of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). It is found in extragenital regions, including the oropharyngeal cavity. Its presence in this area is linked to the increased prevalence of oral and pharyngeal cancer cases in young individuals, which is associated with current sexual practices in the young population. Objective, the objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of HPV infection in the oropharyngeal cavity and identify associated factors within the student community of the Engineering and Chemical Sciences Unit of the University of Veracruz. Methods: an observational, descriptive, and transversal study was conducted. The study included 136 sexually active students aged 18 to 25 without oropharyngeal infection. After obtaining informed consent from all participants, mouthwashes were collected from the oropharyngeal cavity for subsequent detection of viral DNA and HPV genotyping using the PCR-RFLP technique. Risk factors were further assessed through a private questionnaire. For statistical analysis, a bivariate analysis of the main risk factors was performed, and Odds Ratios (OR) and 95% Confidence Intervals (CI) were calculated. Results: The results showed that HPV was detected in 6 participants, resulting in a prevalence of 4.4% (95% CI, 0.92–7.91), with genotypes 11, 52 and 58 identified. Notably, participants with a sexual orientation other than heterosexual had a 7.5-fold higher association with HPV. Conclusions: these findings indicate that low- and high-risk HPV infection in the oropharyngeal cavity is associated with risky sexual behavior in young individuals. Therefore, understanding the specifics of sexual activities is necessary to better comprehend viral transmission and spread among HPV-positive students.