Epidemiological characteristics and genotype distribution of low-risk human papillomavirus infection among women in Jingzhou, Central China: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND

To systematically analyze the epidemiological characteristics and genotype distribution of low-risk human papillomavirus (LR-HPV) infection in Jingzhou, China, and to provide evidence for optimizing regional strategies for the prevention and control of HPV-related diseases.

METHODS

This retrospective cross-sectional study included 24,027 women who underwent cervical cancer screening and concurrent HPV genotyping at Jingzhou Hospital Affiliated to Yangtze University between October 2022 and September 2025. A flow-through hybridization technique was employed to detect 27 HPV genotypes (17 high-risk and 10 low-risk types). The prevalence and genotype distribution of LR-HPV were analyzed, with further stratification by age and season.

RESULTS

The overall HPV infection rate among the 24,027 participants was 25.94% (6,233/24,027), with a LR-HPV infection rate of 10.06% (2,416/24,027). The predominant LR-HPV genotypes were HPV81 (3.33%), HPV61 (2.55%), and HPV44 (1.63%), which differed from the detection rates of the traditionally common LR-HPV types HPV6 (0.82%) and HPV11 (0.32%). The age stratification analysis revealed a U-shaped bimodal distribution of LR-HPV prevalence, with peaks in women aged ≤ 20 years (16.02%) and over 60 years (19.15%) (P < 0.001). Single genotype infections predominated. Seasonally, LR-HPV prevalence was highest in autumn (10.78%) and lowest in summer (9.50%), but the differences were not statistically significant (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

LR-HPV infection among women in Jingzhou is characterized by a unique regional genotype distribution dominated by HPV81, 61, and 44, with a bimodal age-specific prevalence pattern involving women aged ≤ 20 years and > 60 years. This genotype profile differs from those reported in other regions of China, underscoring the importance of incorporating local epidemiological data into the formulation of regional HPV-related disease prevention and screening strategies.

CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER: Not applicable.