The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence and risk factors of genital human papillomavirus (HPV) infection in asymptomatic women, using the HPV DNA Hybrid Capture 2 (HC2) test. Three hundred and two women who attended the Out-Patient Gynecological Clinic of a tertiary level hospital, in a Venezuelan urban area, were selected for the study. A pap smear, a cervical swab for HC2 and gynecological exam were performed to each patient. The HC2 testing showed that 47 samples (15.6%) were positive to HPV. Forty patients (13.2%) were positive to high risk-HPV (HR-HPV) and 11 (3.6%) were positive to low-risk-HPV (LR-HPV). The prevalence of HPV infections was higher for women under 35 years (51.1%; p < 0.02), and decreased to 6.4% for women ³ 65 years old. Women who had not finished high school had a higher prevalence of HPV infection (p < 0.035). Twenty six (42.6%) of 61 pathological Pap smears were positives to HPV infection. A statistically significant difference was found when HPV infection was compared in normal and abnormal Pap smear (HSIL+LSIL; p