Prevalence of human papillomavirus infection among female sex workers in Bulgaria.

The present study estimates the prevalence and risk factors of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection among female sex workers (FSWs) in Bulgaria. HPV DNA was detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in 43.4% of FSWs. HPV16 was the most common type, found in 17.0% of samples, followed by HPV31 (9.4%). Age and smoking were associated with a significantly greater risk of being infected. The results of this study indicate that FSWs in Bulgaria are at increased risk for cervical cancer and represent an important source of HPV infection for the general population in the country. They should be considered as a priority group in cervical cancer control programmes.