Abstract PO-154: Establishing the prevalence of high-risk HPV infection and identifying associated risk factors in Santo Domingo, Ecuador

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Abstract Human papillomavirus is a common sexually transmitted infection that affects men and women. For women, persistent infection with high-risk HPV genotypes is a significant risk factor for cervical cancer, and HPV infection is more prevalent in developing countries than in developed countries. Furthermore, women in developing countries experience a greater number of cervical cancer cases attributable to HPV infection than women in developed countries. In Ecuador, recent studies have shown an increased prevalence of high-risk HPV genotypes in certain regions, specifically Quito and in Southern Ecuador. No study has analyzed the prevalence of high-risk HPV in Santo Domingo, Ecuador. In this quantitative study, the prevalence of high-risk HPV in Santo Domingo was determined by analyzing cervical cytology samples taken from pregnant women visiting three local health clinics. Women younger than 18 years of age were excluded. The study also analyzed associated risk factors for infection. Overall, 24.1% of participants tested positive for high-risk HPV infection. Genotypes falling into the “other high risk” category (i.e. HPV- HPV-31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59, 66, and 68) were the most prevalent. This result differed slightly from findings in comparable studies completed in Ecuador where HPV-16 was found to be most prevalent among the study population. Age and Pap smear history were independently determined to be significant predictors of HPV status. These findings indicate the significance of routine female wellness and gynecological screenings at Saludesa Hospital, and Augusto Egas and Santa Martha clinics. Furthermore, results also emphasize the importance of vaccine use as primary prevention measures against HPV infection in adolescents in Santo Domingo. Currently, Saludesa Hospital, Augusto Egas and Santa Martha clinics do not offer vaccinations for protection against HPV infection. However, girls between ages of 11 and 12 seeking care at these facilities would likely benefit from preventive reproductive health care, including access to vaccinations, to protect against high- risk HPV infection. Education regarding the epidemiology of high-risk HPV infection could enhance the public’s acceptance of screening and intervention programs. Citation Format: Hanna Foster, Maria Alexandrova, Roya Ghiaseddin, David Gaus, Katherine Taylor, Danny Larco, Sharon Stack. Establishing the prevalence of high-risk HPV infection and identifying associated risk factors in Santo Domingo, Ecuador [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Virtual Conference: Thirteenth AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2020 Oct 2-4. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2020;29(12 Suppl):Abstract nr PO-154.