Factors associated with positive human papillomavirus (HPV) test results in cervical precancer screening: a cross-sectional study at Souro Sanou National Teaching Hospital (SSNTH) in Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
Human papilloma virus testing is a new method of screening for precancerous cervical lesions. Here we identified factors associated to the positive Human papilloma virus-testing in the context of cervical precancer screening at the Souro Sanou National Teaching Hospital in Burkina Faso. Conducted from June 2021-May 2022, this was a cross-sectional study, including patients aged between 25 and 55 years-old and screened for precancerous lesions and received HPV-testing at the Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Reproductive Medicine (DGORM) of the SSNTH. The proportion of positive HPV-test was calculated, and we identified factors associated to positive HPV-test using logistic regression. Of the 759 patients came for precancerous lesions screening, 559 patients were included. Their mean-age was 38.8 ± 7.9 years-old, 94.3% were from urban area and 50.3% identified as housewives. Regarding the past medical history, it noted: number of gestures (3.2 ± 2.0), parity (2.8 ± 1.9), number of living children (2.8 ± 1.9), having abortion experience (24.0%), age of first-sexual-intercourse(18.6 ± 2.3 years), alcohol (9.1%) and tobacco (1.0%) consumption, sexually-transmitted-infection (27.0%), Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)infection (5.0%); none had been vaccinated against HPV. Biologically, 16.6% [95% CI: 13.6-20] of the women had a positive HPV-test. The factors significantly associated with positive HPV-test were: occupation in the private sector [OR: 0.06(0.0-0.5); p < 0.001], having a sexually-transmitted-infection [OR: 3.9(2.0-7.7); p < 0.001], age of first-sexual-intercourse [OR: 0.7(0.6-0.9); p < 0.001], sexual-multiple-partnership [OR: 17.5(8.1-39.6); p < 0.001], and HIV status [OR: 13.2(4.4-40.5); p < 0.001]. These results call for health actions through the reinforcement for behavioral change mainly about sexually-transmitted-infections, and for the raising awareness of the population for the screening related to the precancerous lesions and HIV.