The prevalence of human papillomavirus infection in Mombasa, Kenya
De Vuyst, H.; Parisi, M.R.; Karani, A.; Mandaliya, K.; Muchiri, L.; Vaccarella, S.; Temmerman, M.; Franceschi, S.; Lillo, F.
Cancer Causes and Control Ccc 21(12): 2309-2313
2010
ISSN/ISBN: 1573-7225 PMID: 20938733 DOI: 10.1007/s10552-010-9645-zDocument Number: 566951
A human papillomavirus (HPV) prevalence survey was done in Mombasa, Kenya, to improve the knowledge of HPV prevalence and genotype distribution in sub-Saharan African countries overall, and in women of different ages. HPV prevalence was assessed using PCR in women older than 15 years attending family planning and mother-child care services. Among 496 women, HPV prevalence was high (42.3%; 95% CI: 37.9-46.8; world age-standardized). Moreover, 46% of HPV-positive women harbored multiple-type infections. The most common types were HPV58 (10.5% of women), HPV16 (7.7%), HPV53 (6.7%), HPV18 (4.6%), and HPV6 (4.4%), and the prevalence of any high-risk HPV type was 28.8%. HPV prevalence was elevated among all age-groups (range 36.4-45.7%). Independent associations with HPV positivity were found for being in a polygamous marriage (OR = 1.7) and lifetime number of sexual partners (OR for ≥ 3 vs. 1 = 1.5), although they were of only borderline statistical significance. These findings differ from other world regions, showing a high HPV burden in all age-groups with a high proportion of multiple-type infections. Our data strengthen the urgency of HPV vaccination in Kenya but also highlight the elevated number of women who would have positive results in an HPV-based screening program in the country.
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