Prevalence and risk factors for human papillomavirus infection among female sex workers in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam: a cross-sectional study

Authors

  • Quang Duy Pham Pasteur Institute of Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam
  • Kiesha Prem Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
  • Tuan Anh Le National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Hanoi, Viet Nam
  • Nguyen Van Trang National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Hanoi, Viet Nam
  • Mark Jit Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom; School of Public Health, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR (China); Public Health England, Modelling and Economics Unit, London, United Kingdom
  • Tuan Anh Nguyen National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Hanoi, Viet Nam
  • Van Cao Pasteur Institute of Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam
  • Tam-Duong Le-Ha Pasteur Institute of Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam
  • Mai Thi Ngoc Chu National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Hanoi, Viet Nam
  • Ly Thi Khanh Le National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Hanoi, Viet Nam
  • Zheng Quan Toh New Vaccines, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
  • Marc Brisson Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval, Quebec, Canada; Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec, Canada
  • Suzanne Garland Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; Centre for Women’s Infectious Diseases Research, The Royal Women’s Hospital, Parkville, Australia
  • Gerald Murray Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; Centre for Women’s Infectious Diseases Research, The Royal Women’s Hospital, Parkville, Australia
  • Kathryn Bright New Vaccines, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
  • Duc Anh Dang National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Hanoi, Viet Nam
  • Hau Phuc Tran Pasteur Institute of Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam
  • Edward Kim Mulholland Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom; New Vaccines, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5365/wpsar.2022.13.4.894

Keywords:

human papillomavirus, risk factors, cervical cancer, Vietnam, sex workers

Abstract

Objective: Female sex workers (FSWs) are at high risk of human papillomavirus (HPV) infections and cervical cancer due to their high number of sexual partners. The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of HPV and identify risk factors for high-risk HPV infection among FSWs in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), Viet Nam.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Hanoi and HCMC between December 2017 and May 2018. We surveyed and screened 699 FSWs aged >=18 years for HPV infection and abnormal cytology. A multivariable modified Cox regression model was used to determine risk factors for high-risk HPV infection.

Results: The overall prevalence of any HPV, high-risk HPV and HPV-16/18 infection in the 699 FSWs was 26.3%, 17.6% and 4.0%, respectively, and were similar in both cities. Multiple infections were identified in 127 participants (69.0%). HPV-52 was the most prevalent (7%), followed by HPV-58 (6%). Abnormal cytology was detected in 91 participants (13.0%). FSWs who are divorced (adjusted prevalence ratio [aPR]: 1.96, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.01–3.81), widowed (aPR: 3.26, 95% CI: 1.49–7.12) or living alone (aPR: 1.85, 95% CI: 1.01–3.39) were associated with a higher prevalence of high-risk HPV infection.

Discussion: Almost one in five FSWs in Viet Nam are infected with high-risk HPV. This highlights the importance of prevention strategies such as HPV vaccination and screening in this high-risk group.

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Published

07-11-2022

How to Cite

1.
Pham QD, Prem K, Le TA, Trang NV, Jit M, Nguyen TA, Cao V, Le-Ha T-D, Chu MTN, Le LTK, Toh ZQ, Brisson M, Garland S, Murray G, Bright K, Dang DA, Tran HP, Mulholland EK. Prevalence and risk factors for human papillomavirus infection among female sex workers in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam: a cross-sectional study. Western Pac Surveill Response J [Internet]. 2022 Nov. 7 [cited 2026 Apr. 3];13(4). Available from: https://ojs.wpro.who.int/ojs/index.php/wpsar/article/view/894

Issue

Vol. 13 No. 4 (2022): October – December

Section

Original Research

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