Human papillomavirus prevalence and dynamics

Objectives: To estimate the prevalence and dynamics of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, over a 5-year period, among Saudi women. Methods: A 2-phase, population-based study combining cross-sectional and cohort designs was carried out with 5360 ever-married women aged 30–65 from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, between 2013 and 2018. Participants were enrolled in a designated screening program and screened using the hybrid capture 2 HPV test. Women testing positive for HPV were followed up after one year to estimate the HPV clearance rate, while those testing negative had a follow-up after 5 years to assess new HPV infections. Factors associated with HPV positivity and clearance, including sociodemographic and clinical aspects, were analyzed. Results: Participant's mean age was 44.3 and the average marriage duration was 22.6 years. The initial HPV prevalence was 4.7%. After one year, the HPV clearance rate among initially positive women was 84.3%. The rate of new HPV infections among initially negative women after 5 years was 0.2%, resulting in a cumulative HPV prevalence of 5% over the study period. The incidence rate was estimated at 47 per 100,000 person-years. Parity was the only independent factor inversely associated with HPV positivity, with an odds ratio of 0.93 (95% confidence interval: 0.8 – 0.99). Conclusion: The prevalence of HPV in Saudi women was relatively low, suggesting a low transmission rate of HPV. This finding indicates the need for continuous monitoring and tailored prevention strategies.