Abstract

The prevalence of cervical human papilloma virus (HPV) infection varies worldwide with Sub-Saharan Africa having the highest prevalence (12.0%) with Nigeria having the highest prevalence in Sub-Saharan Africa. Some risk factors associated with HPV infection are multiparity, smoking habits, use of contraceptives and early age sexual debut. A large number of HPV-associated risk factors and poor diagnosis in Nigeria have led to inadequate records of the prevalence and distribution of HPV genotypes. Hence, this study is aimed at determining the prevalence of cervical HPV infections and its associated risk factors among women in some parts of North-central Nigeria. Cervical swab samples were collected from 250 women who consented and attended cervical cancer screening units of three tertiary health institutions in Plateau and Nasarawa States and Abuja, Nigeria. Socio-demographic and risk factor information was obtained through structured questionnaires while HPV DNA was detected using Nested PCR. Results revealed an HPV prevalence of 30.9% in Plateau State, 82.6% in Nasarawa State and 30.3% in Abuja. Demographic/ risk factors such as age (p=0.02; r=0.37), marital status (p=0.01; r= 0.45), age at first pregnancy (p= 0.04; r= 0.27), educational status (p=0.04; r=0.56), employment status (p=0.02; r=0.37), use of contraceptives (p=0.02; r=0.43) and history of STI (p=0.01; r= 0.35) were significantly associated with HPV infection. This study observed a high prevalence of HPV infection and its associated risk factors in all three study locations. Therefore, public health education and campaigns about associated risk factors and cervical cancer screening are essential for the prevention and control of Human papilloma virus (HPV).