TITLE:
Prevalence and Predictors of High-Risk HPV in Nigeria
AUTHORS:
Aigbe Gregory Ohihoin, Patrick Azuka Okwuraiwe, Adesola Zaidat Musa, Gbenga Olorunfemi, Chika Kingsley Onwuamah, Fehintola Ige, Olufemi Samuel Amoo, Rosemary Audu, Felix Okogbo, Babafemi Daniyan, Terrumun Swende, Geoffrey Chukwubuike Onyemelukwe, Haruna Daru, Hadiza Usman, Oladapo Shittu, Jonah Musa, Oliver Chukwujekwu Ezechi, Innocent Achanya Ujah
KEYWORDS:
HPV, Cervical Cancer, Prevalence, Predictors, Nigeria
JOURNAL NAME:
Advances in Infectious Diseases,
Vol.12 No.4,
November
22,
2022
ABSTRACT: Introduction: Cervical cancer remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality among the female population in sub-Saharan Africa. Vaccination against human papillomavirus (HPV), the main causative agent, has the potential to eradicate cervical cancer. In-country evidence of sub-types of HPV associated with cervical cancer is scanty, thus necessitating this study. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed using a multistage sampling technique. A molecular technique using the Cobas 4800 machine was used for genotyping. Results: 570 participants were recruited for the study. The mean age of the participants was 32.4 ± 5.2 years. The age of sexual debut ranged from 15 - 24 years with a median of 19 years. 194 participants were positive for high-risk HPV giving a prevalence of 34%. 3% (n = 17) were positive for HPV, 16. 4% (23) had a positive result for HPV, 18. 27% (n = 154) had a positive result for other high-risk groups (OHR) other than HPV 16 or 18. Positive status for high-risk HPV is associated with the presence of genital warts (OR = 7.5), a Positive HIV status (OR = 3.48), abnormal vaginal discharge (OR = 2.20), multiple sexual partners (OR = 2.30), and obesity (OR = 2.70). The prevalence of HIV in the study population was 6.84% (n = 39). Conclusion: Another High-risk HPV other than 16 and 18 appears to be the predominant form of HPV infection in Nigerian women. The risk of being positive for high-risk HPV is associated with the presence of genital warts, abnormal vaginal discharge, a positive HIV status, multiple sexual partners and Obesity. It is therefore necessary to disaggregate and study these high-risk sub-types.