Independent risk factors for high-risk human papillomavirus infection among rural women in Shanxi Province, China: a population-based, case-control study.

OBJECTIVE

Persistent high-risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV) infection is associated with most cervical cancers. This study aims to investigate the prevalence of and independent risk factors for hrHPV infection among women residing in rural areas of Shanxi Province, China.

METHODS

Data from the records of the cervical cancer screening programs for rural women in Shanxi Province were retrospectively collected. Women receiving primary HPV screening between January 2014 and December 2019 were included. The detection rate of hrHPV was calculated, and the independent risk factors for hrHPV infection were analyzed by multivariate logistic regression.

RESULTS

Among the women included, the overall infection rate of hrHPV was 14.01% (15,605/111,353), with the top five subtypes being HPV16 (24.79%), HPV52 (14.04%), HPV58 (10.26%), HPV18 (7.25%), and HPV53 (5.00%). The independent risk factors for hrHPV infection were specific geographical regions, testing years, older age, lower education level, inadequate previous screening, bacterial vaginosis, trichomonas vaginitis, and cervical polyps.

CONCLUSION

Rural women over 40 years of age, especially those who had never received screening, have a significantly increased risk for hrHPV infection and should be the target population with priority in cervical cancer screening.