Age patterns of human papillomavirus infection as primary screening test for cervical cancer and subsequent triage with visual inspection in Honduras

Abstract

Objective. To evaluate age patterns in human papillomavi­rus (HPV) prevalence and visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA) positivity among women participating in cervical cancer screening in Honduras. Materials and methods. Data on the HPV status (careHPV) and subsequent VIA in HPV-positive women were retrieved from three provinces within the Public Health Sector. Results. Between 2015 and 2018, 60 883 women aged 15-85 years were screened. HPV was detected in 15%, with variation by age, peaking at 20-24 years (27.8%) decreasing to 16% at 30-49 years. Differences in point age– specific HPV prevalence were observed between provinces, but with similar age pattern. VIA was positive in 24.5% of the women aged 30-44 years. Conclusions. The age pattern of the HPV prevalence supports starting HPV testing at age 30+. The low positivity of VIA in ages close to menopause suggest underdetection of cervical lesions in this age group.

Keywords

• screening
• cervical cancer
• human papillomavirus
• visual inspection