Prevalence of Cervical Human Pappillomavirus Infection in Awka, Nigeria

Abstract

Prevalence of cervical Human Papillomavirus infection and type distribution vary with different environments. Knowledge of this will help in some cervical cancer interventions such as vaccine administration. This study aimed at determining the prevalence of cervical HPV infection among women attending a tertiary hospital in Awka, Nigeria. To evaluate cervical HPV Infections, cervical samples were collected over a period of 1 year from 405 consenting women. Multiplex PCR and cytology were used in the study. Semi-structured questionnaire was used to obtain the demographic characteristics of the participants. Statistical analysis was done using IBM SPSS statistics version 21. The findings showed that of the 405 women, 387 (94.4%) had normal cytology, and 18 (4.4%) had Low-grade Squamous Intraepithelial Lesion (LSIL). There was no High-grade Squamous Intraepithelial Lesion (HSIL). HPV prevalence of (79) 19.5% was obtained overall in the 405 women, (75 of 387) 19.4% with normal cytology, (4 of 18) 22.2% with LSIL. Age specific prevalence peaked at age group 30 -39 and a second peak at 60 -69. HPV types obtained were HPV 16 31 (7.7%), HPV 18 24 (5.9%), HPV 35 3 (0.7%), HPV 33 9 (2.2%), HPV 68 3 (0.7%) and multiple infections (9) 2.2%. HPV 16 was the only type found in LSIL. Regular HPV typing and screening of our women for HPV infection and Pap's smear can go a long way in the reduction of cervical cancer.

Persistence of cervical human papillomavirus infection among cohort of women in Awka, Nigeria

“…In the baseline study (15), 82 (20.0%) of the 410 participants were HPV positive out of which 75 (91.5%) had normal cervical cytology. These 75 eligible participants were invited for the prospective study but only 58 (77.3%) responded and were follow up for a period of 6 months.…”

“…The baseline study of the HPV status of the participants has been published (15). Persistence of cervical HPV infection was seen in 50% of the respondents after the six months follow up.…”

“…This included cohort of 58 women with normal Pap test but positive HPV DNA at the baseline study. This cohort is part of 410 women who were assessed in the initial survey result of which has been published elsewhere (15). These women were recalled after six months for follow up.…”

Prevalence and distribution of cervical high-risk human papillomavirus infection in a rural community of Edo State, Nigeria

“…These viruses are ubiquitous and most women in the world are probably infected with at least one type of the virus during their sexual life, with a point prevalence rate of 10.1% (1,2). Genital HPV types are categorized, according to epidemiologic association with cervical cancer and oncogenic potentials, as low risk types (6,11,41,44), and high-risk types (16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52 ,56, 58, 59, and 68) (3).…”

“…There are few studies in Nigeria that have evaluated the prevalence and distribution of various high risk HPV subtypes (6,7). In view of the paucity of information on this, it was necessary to conduct this study to provide evidence based local data for decision making which would be useful in devising the optimum strategy for HPV vaccination and other cervical cancer preventive programs within this region of Edo State, Nigeria.…”