Prevalence and genotype distribution of human papillomavirus infection among women undergoing HPV testing at a hospital in Zhangzhou, China: a retrospective study

Introduction This retrospective, single-center study aims to analyze the prevalence and genotype distribution of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection in women undergoing HPV testing at a hospital in Zhangzhou, China. Methods A total of 13,492 females, 18–85 years, undergoing HPV testing at the physical examination center of a hospital in Zhangzhou, China, were recruited. Cervical cast-off cells were collected for HPV testing by low-density gene chip and flow hybridization technology using HPV typing test kit. A total of 27 kinds of HPV types were detected using this method, including 17 kinds of high-risk HPV (HR-HPV) and 10 kinds of low-risk/uncertain oncogenic significance HPV (LR-HPV). Results The overall HPV infection rate was 16.86% (2,275/13,492), with 12.59% (1,699/13,492) females detected as single HPV-type infection and 4.27% (576/13492) females detected as multiple HPV-type infection. Among all 27 detected HPV types, HPV52 exhibited the highest prevalence (3.58%, 483/13,492), followed by HPV53 (1.76%, 237/13,492) and HPV81 (1.71%, 231/13,492). The most common HPV coinfection pattern was HPV52 + HPV53 (12/2,275). Overall HPV prevalence showed a “two-peak” age-related distribution, with the first peak in the ≤29-year age group (19.69%) and the second peak in the ≥60-year age group (24.45%), respectively. It decreased in the 40- to 49-year age group (13.64%). The prevalence of single/multiple HPV and HR-HPV/LR-HPV infection also exhibited age-related trends similar to those described above. Binary logistic regression analysis revealed a non-linear relationship between HPV prevalence and age ( p < 0.05). Conclusion Our study revealed the basic genotype- and age-specific distribution of HPV infection among females attending the physical examination center of a hospital in Zhangzhou. These results emphasized that the specific population should strengthen regular HPV surveillance and improve awareness of vaccination, especially for the highly prevalent HPV types (HPV52,53,51). In addition, our findings provide valuable insights for the measurement of HPV prevention interventions.