Human papillomavirus infection prevalence in female university students in Novi Sad, Serbia.

INTRODUCTION

Cervical cancer, attributed to human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, represents the fourth most common and lethal cancer in Serbian women, and the second most common cancer in women aged 15–44.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study was to determine the presence of high-risk and low-risk HPV types in population of unvaccinated female university students in Novi Sad, Serbia, and to evaluate possible risk factors for HPV infection.

METHODS

Sample consisted of 250 young women (19–26 years of age) attending outpatient clinics for screening gynecological examination. All participants in the study completed a specially designed anonymous questionnaire. For the detection of HPV DNA, two commercial kits – High Risk HPV Real-TM and Low Risk HPV 6/11 Real-TM (Sacace Biotechnologies, Como, Italy) were used. Thirty positive samples were retested by GenoFlow HPV Array Test (DiagCor Bioscience Incorporation Limited, Hong Kong, China).

RESULTS

The overall prevalence rate of HPV was 61.6%. The most common HPV types in the present study were as follows: HPV 16, 31, 51, 52, and 18. Female students with only one sexual partner had significantly lower chance of having HPV infection. Other variables describing lifestyle did not show statistical significance.

CONCLUSION

The present paper provides data on the prevalence of high- and low-risk HPV genotypes among university students in Novi Sad. Obtained results indicate the need for educational activities on sexually transmitted infections, including HPV, together with promotion of healthy lifestyles. According to our results, bivalent and quadrivalent prophylactic vaccines have the potential to prevent over 50% of infections. Percentage of protection with a second-generation prophylactic nonavalent vaccine would be more than 80%.