Human papillomavirus prevalence and type distribution among women attending routine gynecological examinations in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

BackgroundCervical cancer (CC) is caused by persistent infection with high-risk (HR) human papillomavirus (HPV) types. In Saudi Arabia which has a population of 6.5 million women over the age of 15 years, approximately 152 new cases of CC are diagnosed and 55 women die from the disease annually. Nevertheless current epidemiological data for HPV in this population are limited. This study evaluated the prevalence and type distribution of HPV and documented the awareness of HPV infection and health-related behavior among Saudi and non-Saudi women attending routine examination.MethodsThis was an observational, epidemiological cross-sectional study conducted between April 2010 and December 2011 at three hospitals in Saudi Arabia. Cervical samples from women aged ≥15 years, who were attending routine gynecological examinations were collected and tested for HPV-DNA by polymerase chain reaction and typed using the SPF10 DEIA/LiPA25 system. Two questionnaires on health-related behavior and awareness of HPV infection were completed.ResultsA total of 417 women, mean age (standard deviation) 41.9 (±10.4) years, were included in the final analysis, of whom 77% (321/417) were Saudi nationals. HPV-DNA was detected in 9.8% women (41/417, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 7.1-13.1). The prevalence of any HR-HPV by age was: 25–34 years: 3.0%; 35–44 years: 4.5%; 45–54 years: 3.2%; >55 years: 10.9%. The most prevalent HR-HPV-types were: HPV-68/73 (5 cases); HPV-18 (4 cases); HPV-16 (3 cases). The most prevalent low risk (LR) types were HPV-6 (4 cases); HPV-42, HPV-53 and HPV-54 (2 cases each). The prevalence of HPV was higher among non-Saudi nationals vs. Saudi nationals (16.7% vs. 7.8%, P = 0.0234). No statistically significant risk factors were identified: 32.2% (101/314) women were aware of HPV and 89.9% (285/317) showed an interest in HPV vaccination.ConclusionThe overall prevalence of HPV was 9.8% in Saudi Arabia, but was higher in women over 55 years, as well as in non-Saudi nationals. These data provide a reference for public health authorities and may also help in determining future policies for the prevention of CC.Clinical trial registrationNCT01213459Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12879-014-0643-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Level of Knowledge on Cervical Cancer, Cervical Screening and Its Determinants Among Ministry of Health PHC Physicians in Makkah Al- Mukarramah 2016, Cross- Sectional Study.

“…Primary health care workers should play important roles as health educators and promoters. Therefore, it is essential that PHC physicians should have satisfactory knowledge and high compliance toward cancer cervix screening recommendations (Can et al, 2014). (31) Results of the present study showed that participants' knowledge grades regarding cervical cancer were quite suboptimal, where 42.3% were knowledgeable regarding cancer cervix, 16.1% were knowledgeable regarding screening guidelines, and 31.4% had overall knowledge.…”

“…The epidemiology of HPV infection among females in Saudi Arabia is not fully comprehended due to the lack of database and limited publications regarding prevalence and genotype. (4)(5)(6) Most of the HPV infections are transient and when it persists, the duration from initial infection to development of high-grade cervical neoplasia and invasive cancer take an average of 15 years. (7) Most of the risk factors for cervical cancer are associated with the increased risk of acquiring HPV infection.…”

Current studies on human papillomavirus in Saudi Arabia

“…Their results showed that in a group of 417 women, HPV-DNA was detected in 9.8% women. The most prevalent HR-HPV types were HPV-68/73, HPV-18, and HPV-16, while the most common LR-HPV types were HPV-6, HPV-42, HPV-53, and HPV-54 [31].…”

“…Another study that screened cervical cancer specimens in Saudi women reported that 89% of the specimens were HPV positive [37]. Eleven different HPV genotypes were detected, including the high-risk HPV- 16,18,31,39,45,51,59, and 73 and the low-risk HPV-6, 64, and 70. Consistent with previous studies, HPV-16 and HPV-18 were the most common genotypes.…”

Human papillomaviruses: The cervical cancer saga in developing countries

“…Recent studies using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis conducted in Saudi Arabia, the largest in size and population of the GCC countries, show a relatively high prevalence of HPV infection [17][18][19]. One study investigated HPV 16/18 DNA prevalence among women attending a family medicine clinic for routine gynecological examinations in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia.…”