J Gynecol Oncol.  2025 Jan;36(1):e7. 10.3802/jgo.2025.36.e7.

Prevalence of high-risk human papillomavirus genotypes among women in Uzbekistan, 2021–2023

• Sharipova IP
• Musabaev EI
• Sadirova SS
• Suyarkulova DT
• Tashev SE
• Akhmedova SK
• Turabova NR
• Sharapov SM
• Kasimova RI
• Rakhimov RA
• Yuldashova GT
• Lee K
• Chun G
• Kim H

• KMID: 2565507
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3802/jgo.2025.36.e7

Abstract

Objective
Cervical cancer remains a significant global health concern. Extensive research has established a critical link between human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and the development of cervical cancer. As a result, high-risk HPV (Hr-HPV) testing has emerged as a promising screening method. This study aimed to retrospectively analyze the prevalence of Hr-HPV genotypes among women in three regions of Uzbekistan.
Methods
Between 2021 and 2023, the Research Institute of Virology of Uzbekistan and the Korea Foundation for International Healthcare conducted a comprehensive population-based study in Tashkent, Andijan, and Samarkand. The study targeted 43,921 women aged 20 and above, utilizing real-time polymerase chain reaction to investigate the prevalence of 12 HrHPV genotypes. The analysis included an examination of the distribution of these genotypes based on age, region, and various demographic factors.
Results
The overall prevalence of Hr-HPV among women aged 20 and above in Uzbekistan was 7.4%. Regional variations were observed and Hr-HPV prevalence was higher in individuals in their 20s than in other age groups in all 3 regions (p<0.001). The proportion of HPV 16 and 18 was 32.5% and 6.4% in the single infections, 41.9% and 14.7% in the double infections, and 59.3% and 20.0% in the multiple infections. There were also significant differences in prevalence across demographic factors, such as marital status, parity, current smoking, and contraceptive method (p<0.005).
Conclusion
The findings emphasize the importance of early screening and educational initiatives, particularly targeting young and co-infected women. This foundational data aims to improve women's health strategies in Uzbekistan.

Keyword

High-Risk Human Papillomavirus; Prevalence; Genotype; Mass Screening; Uzbekistan