Risk factors for human papillomavirus infection prevalent among Uyghur women from Xinjiang, China.

Guzhalinuer Abulizi,Reyihanguli Abula,Tunishahan Abudereyimu,Hua Li,Dandan Meng,Tangnuer Abulimiti,Anarguli Aizezi,You Lin Qiao,Jing Cai,Jie Gao,Patiman Mijiti

doi:10.18632/oncotarget.18901

Abstract

We investigated the incidence of HPV and risk factors for infection among rural Uyghur women in the Xinjiang province of northwestern China, where there is a high incidence of cervical cancer. We used the careHPV kit to test 6000 sexually active Uyghur women aged 21 to 60 years for HPV, and conducted a comprehensive questionnaire survey to identify relevant HPV infection factors. Our data show the HPV infection rate to be 8.42%, which is lower than 11.7% reported worldwide, despite the higher cervical cancer incidence. Multivariate logistic regression revealed that Uyghur women that had (a) poor personal hygiene and care; (b) no previous gynecological examination; (c) a higher education level; (d) unprotected sex and inadequate personal hygiene; (e) used their fingers for vaginal cleaning (f) smoking husbands and (j) used sanitary napkins or toilet paper during menstruation or used clod as the bathroom wipe material were at greater risk for HPV infection. This suggests that proper interventions that improve personal hygiene, including not using ones fingers for vaginal cleaning, use of condoms, regular gynecological exams and a reduction in smoking by spouses could lower the cervical cancer risk by lowering HPV infection rates. In addition, increasing awareness among more educated women regarding HPV and implementation of effective interventions could reduce the risk of HPV infection in Uyghur women.

Highlights

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is a necessary and common risk factor for cervical cancer [1]
We investigated the incidence of HPV and risk factors for infection among rural Uyghur women in the Xinjiang province of northwestern China, where there is a high incidence of cervical cancer
Since cervical cancer is an important public health problem in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China, we explored the status of HPV infection and the www.impactjournals.com/oncotarget prevalence of risk factors that contribute to high incidence of cervical cancer in Uyghur women

Summary

Introduction

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is a necessary and common risk factor for cervical cancer [1]. HPV infection is very common and is dependent on the age and the sexual habits of the populations [2]. In China, the incidence of cervical cancer is greater in remote rural or mountainous areas [3]. The. Uyghur women have high incidence and mortality due to cervical cancer compared to other ethnic groups [5, 6]. The low social status and the lack of awareness of cervical cancer among Uyghur women of southern Xinjiang combined with lack of systematic screening and preventive measures in this vast rural geographic region have resulted in low rates of early detection, diagnosis and treatment [7,8,9,10]

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Conclusion