Prevalence and distribution of human papillomavirus genotypes among women in northern Henan Province of China

Abstract

Background Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection can cause cervical and other cancers including cancer of vulva, vagina, penis, anus, or oropharynx. However, data concerning the prevalence and genotype distribution of HPV among women are limited in northern Henan Province of China. This study aimed to make an investigation on the current prevalence and genotype distribution of HPV among women and provided comprehensive data to guide HPV-based cervical cancer prevention in northern Henan Province. Methods A total of 15616 women aged 16 to 81 years who attended the department of gynecology of Xinxiang central hospital between January 2018 and December 2019 were enrolled in this study. HPV DNA was detected by PCR method followed by HPV type-specific hybridization. The overall prevalence, age-specific prevalence and genotype distribution of HPV were investigated. Results The overall HPV prevalence was 19.7% among women in northern Henan Province. Single, double and multiple HPV infections accounted for 13.7%, 4.3% and 1.8% of the total cases, respectively. HPV prevalence was 41.8% among women aged 16 to 19 years, 21.1% among women aged 20 to 29 years, 18.1% among women aged 30 to 39 years, 17.7% among women aged 40 to 49 years, 20.8% among women aged 50 to 59 years, 22.9% among women more than 60 years. HPV infection rates differed significantly across different age groups. Most infections were caused by high-risk HPV (HR-HPV) and single genotype HPV infection was the most common pattern. The most common HR-HPV genotype was HPV16, followed by HPV52, HPV58, HPV53 and HPV39. The most common low-risk HPV (LR-HPV) genotype was HPV6, followed by HPV61, HPV81, HPV54 and HPV11. Conclusions HPV infection is common among women in northern Henan Province. The highest infection prevalence was found in women less than 20 years old. The 9-valent HPV vaccine for routine vaccination is strongly recommended in northern Henan Province.