HPV Typing in Women Undergoing Cervical Cancer Screening: Insights From the General Population in Bamako, Mali

PURPOSE This study aimed to evaluate HPV genotypes among women undergoing cervical cancer screening in Bamako from the general population. METHODS A prospective cross-sectional study enrolled 199 women from Bamako's general population. Data were collected via survey forms, and vaginal swabs were self-collected for HPV genotyping using GeneXpert technology. RESULTS The age group ≥30 years constituted the majority (61.3%), with a mean age of 35.38 ± 11.09 years. The average age at first sexual intercourse was 19.69 ± 3.739 years. The study revealed an HPV infection prevalence of 21.6%. The most commonly detected HPV subtypes were P3 (41.9%), followed by P5 (9.3%), 18/45 (9.3%), P4 (9.3%), P4P5 (7%), 16 (4.7%), and others (2.3%). HPV infection was more prevalent in the age group ≥ 30 years (P=0.009), multiparous women (P=0.003), and those with a history of sexually transmitted infections (P=0.019). CONCLUSION The burden of cervical cancer remains substantial in our population. HPV genotyping through self-sampling presents a promising approach to improve early detection, treatment, and prevention of the disease among Mali's general population.