European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

ASSESSING THE PREVALENCE OF HUMAN PAPILLOMAVIRUS INFECTION AMONG JORDANIAN WOMEN: A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY OF CERVICAL SWABS MOLECULAR ANALYSIS

Awatef Alkaabneh MD*, Shaden Alsaryrah MD, Shirin Shaher Almharat MD, Rami Suleiman Alrbeihat MD, Mohammad Naiel Abdo Aljaradat MD

ABSTRACT

Background:
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a DNA virus associated with various epithelial cancers, including
cervical cancer. In Jordan, cervical cancer is a significant health issue, ranking it as the 11th most common cancer
among women. Previous reports revealed a relatively high prevalence of HPV infection of 73% in Jordan, along
with a significant incidence of high risk genotypes which is higher than findings from other studies in the region
which warran ts a strong need for further population based research. Purpose: In this study we aim to assess the
prevalence of HPV infection among Jordanian women who underwent Cervical Swab. Methods: We conducted a
retrospective, single center observational study at t he Gynecological Department of King Hussein Medical Center
between the period of January 2021 to December 2023. Data was collected for demographic information
Molecular analysis results of HPV infection. HPV testing was conducted on Cervical Swabs from Gyn ecological
patients. The prevalence of HPV distribution was analyzed in these swabs. Data was described using frequencies
and percentages. All data analysis was carried out in R statistical software. Results Out of 2,000 participants
analyzed over three y ears (2021 2023), 1,979 (99%) tested negative for HPV, while 21 (1.1%) were HPV positive.
Among these, 8 participants (0.4%) tested positive for HPV 18 45, HPV 16, and other strains. HPV positivity was
highest in 2021 (43%) and 2022 (48%), with a sharp dec line in 2023 (9.5%). For non HPV 16/18 45 strains,
positivity rates peaked in 2021 (44%) and 2022 (40%), with no cases in 2023 (p = 0.7). HPV 18 45 showed
significant variation across years (p = 0.036), increasing from 11% in 2021 to 50% in 2022 and 100% i n 2023.
HPV 16 positivity declined from 67% in 2021 to 20% in 2022, with no cases in 2023 (p = 0.073). Conclusion
Our results highlight the importance of cervical swab testing in detecting HPV positivity and highlight temporal
variations in HPV subtype pr evalence, emphasizing the need for continued surveillance.

Keywords: Human papillomavirus; Cervical cancer; HPV prevalence; Cervical swap testing; Jordanian women.