Epidemiological Patterns and Prevalence of HPV Genotypes in Iran: Implications for Prevention, Treatment, and Public Health Strategies
International Pharmacy Acta,
Vol. 8 No. 1 (2025),
6 April 2025
,
Page e3: 1-8
https://doi.org/10.22037/ipa.v8i1.47719
Abstract
Human Papillomavirus (HPV), underlying cervical cancer, emerges as a critical risk factor and plays a significant role in the disease burden. In several countries across the Middle East, the absence of structured HPV screening programs and limited public awareness have made HPV a growing concern for public health due to its potential impact on women's health. Thus, this study aims to investigate the genotype-specific prevalence of HPV infections and analyze their distribution across different age groups to inform tailored preventive strategies. A cross-sectional study examining the distribution of HPV genotypes was conducted on persons who accessed laboratory facilities in Tehran from 2022 to 2024. PCR-based testing was performed on 4,167 samples submitted for HPV detection and genotyping. Information concerning the age and gender of the patients and the distribution of HPV based on the different genotypes was collected and sorted for statistical analysis. Among the 4,167 individuals referred for HPV testing, the overall positivity rate was 39.9% (1,662/4,167). The highest positivity rates were observed in the 26–30 (18.4%) and 31–35 (23.4%) age groups, with a declining trend in older age groups. Women represented 93.5% of the tested individuals, with a positivity rate of 38.1%, while the rate in men was 65.2%. The most frequent high-risk genotypes detected were HPV-31 (22.4%), HPV-51 (16.7%), and HPV-16 (15.8%). A weak negative correlation was observed between age and HPV positivity (r = -0.135, p < 0.001). The distribution of HPV genotypes observed in this referred population showed a predominance of high-risk types among those tested. These findings are not generalizable to the broader population due to the inherent selection bias, as participants sought HPV testing for clinical reasons. Nonetheless, the results highlight the importance of implementing structured screening and surveillance systems to understand better and manage the HPV burden in the country. As this study was based on individuals referred for HPV testing in selected areas of Tehran, the results reflect referral-based patterns and should not be interpreted as representative of nationwide HPV prevalence across Iran.
- HPV
- Cervical Cancer
- Genotype Prevalence
- Iran
- Vaccination
How to Cite
References
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