Ramatlho P, Grover S, Mathoma A, Tawe L, Matlhagela K, Ngoni K, Molebatsi K, Chilisa B, Zetola N M, Robertson E S, Paganotti G M, Ramogola-Masire D
School of Allied Health Professions, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana; Botswana-University of Pennsylvania Partnership, Gaborone, Botswana.
S Afr Med J. 2022 Apr 29;112(5):335-340.
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a sexually transmitted infection and a causative agent of cervical cancer. It is common in adolescent girls and young women, and the majority of infections are transient and asymptomatic. In Botswana, there are currently no data on the HPV prevalence against which the impact of prophylactic HPV vaccines can be measured.
To establish a baseline HPV prevalence in an unvaccinated cohort of young women.
Women aged ≥18 years were recruited from the University of Botswana between September 2016 and May 2020. Demographic and behavioural characteristics of participants were collected. Subsequently, cervicovaginal swabs were obtained and tested for HPV using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. We determined the prevalent HPV types, and evaluated the risk factors associated with HPV positivity.
A total of 978 young women were recruited. Overall, there were 589 (60.2%) participants with HPV infection and 12 (1.2%) with HIV. The median (interquartile range) age of the study participants was 19 (18 - 20) years. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that significant factors associated with HPV positivity were sexual activity (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 2.06; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.49 - 2.63; p<0.001), number of sex partners ≥3 (aOR 2.10; 95% CI 1.39 - 3.18; p<0.001), and smoking (aOR 2.00; 95% CI 1.26 - 3.20; p=0.004).
Our results demonstrate for the first time the prevalence of HPV in unvaccinated young women in Botswana. We found a high prevalence of HPV infection, with statistical differences with different risk factors. This finding supports the need for HPV vaccination strategies for females prior to sexual debut to reduce the future burden of cervical cancer in Botswana.
人乳头瘤病毒（HPV）是一种性传播感染，也是宫颈癌的致病因子。它在青春期女孩和年轻女性中很常见，且大多数感染是短暂的、无症状的。在博茨瓦纳，目前尚无关于HPV流行率的数据，因此无法衡量预防性HPV疫苗的影响。
在未接种疫苗的年轻女性队列中建立HPV流行率基线。
2016年9月至2020年5月期间，从博茨瓦纳大学招募年龄≥18岁的女性。收集参与者的人口统计学和行为特征。随后，获取宫颈阴道拭子，并使用聚合酶链反应-限制性片段长度多态性检测HPV。我们确定了流行的HPV类型，并评估了与HPV阳性相关的危险因素。
共招募了978名年轻女性。总体而言，有589名（60.2%）参与者感染了HPV，12名（1.2%）感染了HIV。研究参与者的年龄中位数（四分位间距）为19（18 - 20）岁。多因素逻辑回归分析显示，与HPV阳性相关的显著因素包括性活动（调整后的优势比（aOR）为2.06；95%置信区间（CI）为1.49 - 2.63；p<0.001）、性伴侣数量≥3（aOR为2.10；95%CI为1.39 - 3.18；p<0.001）以及吸烟（aOR为2.00；95%CI为1.26 - 3.20；p = 0.004）。
我们的结果首次证明了博茨瓦纳未接种疫苗的年轻女性中HPV的流行率。我们发现HPV感染率很高，且不同危险因素之间存在统计学差异。这一发现支持了在女性首次性行为之前实施HPV疫苗接种策略的必要性，以减轻博茨瓦纳未来宫颈癌的负担。
