A prospective study of incidence of cervical HPV infection & its association with aetiological factors & cervical cancer in adult women of Jamnagar

Abstract

Etiological link between cervical cancer & HPV is independent of other risk factors but their geographic variations need to be explored. Cervical cancer with profile of Sexually Transmitted Disease has consistent causal connection with persistent cervical HPV infection, so such carrier women are at High risk. Thus, study evaluate risk of HPV infection in women of Jamnagar region by exploring aetiological determinants related to their sexual life. Aim: To explore incidence of cervical HPV infection along with its association with cervical cancer as well with commonly proposed aetiological factors in adult women of Jamnagar Materials and Methods: The study was conducted in 2004 on random 110 women attending Gynecology out patient department of GG Hospital at MPSGMC Jamnagar by taking their cervical smear and administering them questionnaires about their sexual life. HPV infection was diagnosed based on cytopathic effects of HPV, by Microbiological staining techniques. Association of cervical HPV positive status of women in relation to common aetiological factors and carcinoma cervix were analyzed. Results: 10.9% of women exhibited cervical HPV infection out of them 20% belonged to higher age group (50-59 years) followed by 16.6% of young age group (20-29). 15.3% of women with HPV infection were having 6 -10 years of active married life. Accordingly 18.18% HPV infected women were multiparabearing 3 -4 children whereas nullipara had no HPV infection. 75% of women with carcinoma cervix were positive for cervical HPV which endorse strong causal connections. Conclusions: Study concludes that cervical HPV is prevalent in 10.9% adult women of Jamnagar region and is significantly attributable to cervical cancer. HPV positive woman have profile of sexually active life of initial years, early age at first coitus or had longer but active married life, so sexual transmission happens to be the predominant mode of HPV acquisition. Similarly, multiparity has aetiological association with positive cervical HPV. Study reflects women's HPV status at single point in time, so longitudinal observations are recommended. However, certain recommendations are made considering associated aetiological factors as guiding principle to derive HPV prevention strategy.