Prevalence and Type-Specific Distribution of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Infection among Women in Niger State, Nigeria

Abstract

Cervical cancer remains a major public health challenge in Nigeria, largely due to persistent infection with high-risk Human Papillomavirus (HPV) types. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and genotype-specific distribution of HPV among women in Niger State, Nigeria, and to assess the relationship between HPV types and cytological abnormalities. A hospital-based descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted in five health facilities across Niger State’s three senatorial districts. A total of 260 women aged 20–55 years were selected through multistage sampling. HPV DNA was extracted from vaginal swabs and analyzed using PCR and DNA sequencing, while cytological assessments were done via Papanicolaou (PAP) smear. BLAST alignment identified HPV genotypes, and chi-square tests assessed associations. The overall HPV prevalence was 12.3%, highest among women aged 31–35 years (3.8%). Low-risk types comprised 50% of positive cases, with HPV11 (18.8%) and HPV6 (15.6%) being most common. High-risk types made up 40.6%, notably HPV31 and HPV52 (9.4% each). Several nonsynonymous mutations were found, suggesting genetic variation. A significant association existed between HPV types and abnormal cytology (p < 0.001). The study highlights the need for region-specific HPV vaccination and expanded cervical screening programs to reduce HPV-related disease burden in Niger State.