HPV among Females of Reproductive Age Attending a Tertiary Institution in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Aims: The study was aimed at determining HPV seroprevalence among females of reproductive age and identify the demographic/behavioural profile associated with the seroprevalence.

Study Design: Cross-sectional study.

Place and Duration of Study: O.B. Lulu-Briggs Health Centre, University of Port Harcourt, in Rivers State, Nigeria, from July 2013 to May 2014.

Methodology: Ninety-one females were included in this study. The age ranged from 15 to 45 years. Detection HPV infection was gotten using the ELISA and was performed according to the kit manufacturer’s stipulations. The demographic characteristics of the participants were obtained with a Performa designed for the study.

Results: Higher seropositivity of anti-HPV IgG antibodies occurred in the age group 18-25 years (18.2%) than other age groups (26-35 years, 4.1% and 36-45 years, 0.0%). The highest seronegativity (100.0%) occurred in the age group 36-45 years while the age group 18-25 years (81.8%) had the least. Higher seropositivity occurred in females with no formal education (33.3%) than primary (9.1%) secondary (3.8%) and tertiary education (0.0%). While higher seronegativity (100.0%) occurred in tertiary education compared to secondary (96.2%), primary (90.9%) and no education (66.7%). Higher seropositivity occurred among the married (27.3%) than the singles (1.2%). Higher seronegativity occurred among singles (98.8%) than the married (72.7%). Higher seropositivity occurred among other religions (4.9%) than Christianity (4.0%). Furthermore, Christians had higher seronegativity (96.0%) compared to other religions (95.1%).

Conclusion: The study clearly shows that although the seroprevalences are higher among younger females elsewhere in Nigeria, only 4.4% of the females had IgG antibodies to HPV-6, -11, -16 and -18 vaccine genotypes. It also established a high seronegativity among the females of reproductive age in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first documented report of high IgG seronegativity to HPV-6, -11, -16 and -18 vaccine genotypes in a higher institution in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. These findings reveal the susceptibility of a large population of females to infections with these four HPV genotypes in the University. With these findings, early screening and clinical evaluation for HPV-related manifestations are very imperative among females of reproductive age in Nigeria.