Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and liquid-based cytologic tests among cervical screening participants in Shannan City, Tibet, China, during 2021–2022

Abstract

Background: Cervical cancer is the most common malignant tumor of the reproductive tract in women and poses a serious threat to their health. Cervical cancer screening is primarily conducted through the detection of HPV or cytological examination. In this study, we analyzed the prevalence, genotyping of HPV, and cervical cytology among women in Shannan city, Tibet, China, between 2021 and 2022, to guide the prevention of cervical cancer among local women. This is the first large-scale cervical cytology screening study conducted in the southern region of the province. Methods: Between January 2021 and December 2022, 15,493 women participated in HPV genotype testing, and 16,775 women underwent ThinPrep cytologic tests. HPV prevalence and genotype distribution were analyzed for the entire population. Furthermore, the samples were stratified by age group and altitude to analyze the HPV infection rate and distribution of cervical cytological abnormalities. Results: The prevalence of HPV in Shannan city was 7.91%, with HPV16 and HPV18 affecting 1.21%. Single infections (95.92%) were more common than multiple infections (4.08%). The overall HPV infection rate peaked in the cohort < 25 years of age (13.25%). Furthermore, HPV infection rates and cervical cell abnormalities varied according to the administrative division in Shannan city, and this difference was attributed to various altitudes. Conclusion: Among HPV carriers, the infection rate peaks in women aged 25 years, after which it declined annually, and the probability of coinfection is relatively low. Additionally, we found that high-altitude areas exhibited elevated HPV prevalence but fewer cervical abnormalities, suggesting complex environmental, genetic, and cultural influences on infection and disease progression. Based on these data, effective recommendations can be made for cervical cancer screening and HPV prevention in local communities.