Factors that Contribute to the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Infection Persistence in Cameroonian Women at Risk

Background

Globally, the most prevalent sexually transmitted infection is the human papillomavirus, or HPV. The primary difficulty with this infection is his persistence in the cervical tissue, which can eventually result in cervical cancer after decades. Finding social elements that might encourage HPV's persistence in cervical tissue was the aim of this investigation.

Methods

This work was carried out in three regions of Cameroon, and covered 1443 women for cytological analyses using Pap test. Positive pap smears were selected to characterize human papillomavirus presence using multiplex PCR.

Results

Results presented a high frequency of low-risk genotypes (over 15%) (P<0.001). Women under 25 years presented 25% of high-risk genotypes (OR=1.98). Genotype HPV 6 and 45 were more prevalent from women with early intercourse (before 15 years) (OR=2.3). Concerning early intercourse, women before 15 years presented high-risk genotypes, especially HPV 18, 84 and 35 (OR=3.60). However, HPV 6, HPV 11 and HPV 45 were very much present among women with at least 4 sexual partners (P<0.005) (OR=2.1). Women using oral contraceptive method (OR=3.7) and intra uterine device (OR=6.4), presented most HPV infection (P<0.005). and cervical lesions (OR=5.8). More HPV, especially HPV 61, 45 were identified in smoking women with a frequency of more than 14% (OR=1.6).

Conclusion

The persistence of human papillomavirus infection in cervical tissue could be the effect of different identified risks factors.