Magnitude of precancerous cervical lesions induced by human papillomavirus subtypes 16 and 18 and associated factors among affected women

Abstract

The present study aimed to assess the magnitude of precancerous cervical lesions induced by human papillomavirus (HPV) subtypes 16 and 18 and the associated factors among affected women. An institutional‑based cross‑sectional study was conducted among 337 women screened for cervical cancer using HPV and visual inspection with acetic acid tests. The results revealed that 14.2 and 13.9% of the respondents had HPV and precancerous cervical lesions, respectively. The mean age of the respondents was 36.7±9.1 years. Women in the age group of 56‑65 years [adjusted odds ratio (AOR), 7.91; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.95‑32.09], age at first intercourse (AOR, 5.36; 95% CI, 1.58‑18.13), history of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) (AOR, 3.52; 95% CI, 1.27‑9.72), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positivity (AOR, 6.81; 95% CI, 1.99‑23.54) and the number of sexual partners (AOR, 4.37; 95% CI, 1.15‑17.3) were independent factors for the prevalence of HPV subtypes 16 and 18. Women in the age group of 56‑65 years (AOR, 10.69; 95% CI, 2.24‑50.93), history of STIs (AOR, 3.44; 95% CI, 1.35‑8.78), HIV positivity (AOR, 16.7; 95% CI, 6.5‑43.04) and multiple sexual partners (AOR, 3.29; 95% CI, 1.13‑9.58) were key independent factors associated with the prevalence of precancerous cervical lesions induced by HPV subtypes 16 and 18. On the whole, the present study found a low prevalence of high‑risk HPV infection and precancerous cervical lesions. Women aged >55 years, those who commenced sexual intercourse at an age <18 years, and women with a history of STIs, HIV and multiple sexual partners were factors for precancerous cervical lesions induced by HPV subtypes 16 and 18.