Background: Cervical cancer, primarily caused by high-risk Human Papillomavirus (hr-HPV) infection, remains a significant health concern among women in sub-Saharan Africa. Despite this, there is a lack of updated data on the burden and factors associated with hr-HPV infection among women of reproductive age. This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of hr-HPV genotypes and related risk factors among pregnant women in Jos, Nigeria.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 100 pregnant women attending antenatal care at Faith Alive Foundation Hospital in Jos, Nigeria, from July to September 2024. Sociodemographic data, sera, and cervical swabs were collected and screened for anti-HPV antibodies and HPV genotyping using VIASURE real-time PCR detection kits.
Results: The mean age of participants was 33.2 ± 6.4 years. Of the 100 tested samples, 12.0% had anti-HPV antibodies, with 33.3% positive for hr-HPV genotype 16, and other high-risk groups (16.7%). Notably, 75.0% of hr-HPV-16 positive individuals were HIV positive, and a statistically significant association was found between HPV infection and HIV positivity, P=0.04.
Conclusion: This study highlights a high prevalence of HPV genotype 16 among pregnant women in Jos, Nigeria, with HIV-positive individuals being disproportionately affected. These findings emphasize the need for improved awareness and the use of more sensitive diagnostic methods to screen for HPV and cervical cancer, particularly in primary health facilities where the burden is highest among reproductive-age women.