Prevalence OF HPV IN a Peruvian Healthcare Network: A Descriptive Cross-Sectional Study.

Abstract

Introduction: Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is a common sexually transmitted infection often associated with cancer development. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of HPV in women receiving care at the AUNA healthcare network in Peru.

Methods: We conducted an observational, descriptive, cross-sectional, retrospective study. A de-identified database of HPV-positive women who underwent the BD Onclarity™ HPV Assay between December 2018 and December 2021 at Auna clinics was analyzed. The database contained information regarding age, city, and HPV type. High-risk HPV types were analyzed individually (16, 18, 31, 45, 51, 52) and pooled [P1 (33, 58), P2 (56,59,66), and P3 (35,39,68)]. The study was approved by an independent research ethics committee in Peru.

Results: Of 68,714 women included in the study, the HPV prevalence was 14.21% (N = 9765, 95%CI:13.95%-14.47%). The highest prevalence was detected in Piura (16.85%, 95%CI:15.40%-18.38%), where HPV-51, HPV-52, HPV-P1, HPV-P2, and HPV-P3 were most common compared to other Peruvian cities included in the study. In Arequipa, the prevalence was the lowest (13.58%, 95%CI:12.38%-14.85%), but the percentage prevalence of HPV-16 was the highest compared to other cities. The prevalence of multiple HPV infections was 2.88% (N = 1981, 95%CI:2.76%-3.01%), with most of them co-presenting two types of HPV (N = 1522). The most frequent co-occurrences were P2 and P3, P2 and 52, and P2 and 16. Among HPV-positive women, the mean age was 41.31 years (±9.48) and 25.29% were in the 31-35 years group. HPV-P2 was the most frequent in all age groups except in the 65-72 years group, where HPV-P3 was the most common.

Conclusion: HPV prevalence was shown to be highest in Piura, with the most prevalent types being HPV-16, HPV-52, and HPV-P2 (HPV-56, -59, -66). HPV infection was found to be more frequent among women in the 31-35 years age group.