The Influence Of Genital Tract Symptomatology On Genital Human Papilloma Virus

Abstract

Aim: To study the association between genital tract symptomatology and human papilloma virus (HPV) of the cervix.Method: The subjects were 450 randomly selected sexually active women attending the antenatal, postnatal, gynaecology and family planning clinics in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Nigeria between April 2001 and May 2002. The Pap smear of these patients were examined microscopically for evidence of HPV Infection. Questionnaires assessing various genital tract symptomatology of the patients were administered.Result: Abnormal smears occurred in 245 (54.5%) of the patients screened. Forty eight women (10.7%) had HPV associated changes constituting 19.6% of all abnormal smears. Their ages ranged between 15 and 64 years, with a mean of 26±3 years. There was a statistically significant association between abnormal vaginal discharge, irregular menstruation, postmenopausal and postcoital bleeding and genital HPV infection. Conclusion: Women with abnormal vaginal discharge, irregular menstruation, postmenopausal and postcoital bleeding are at increased risk of acquiring infection of the cervix and should be the target in a sporadic or an organized cervical cancer screening programme without discriminating other sexually active women.