Prevalence of High-risk HPV Infection in Women Presenting with Chronic Leucorrhoea at Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi City County, Kenya
Loading...
Date
2024-03
Authors
Onyango, Willbrod Ochieng’
Muitta, Esther
Mutuku, Onesmus Muia
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
IJRRGY
Abstract
Chronic leucorrhoea is the most common symptom caused by infections of the
vagina itself or infections/inflammation of the cervix. These inflammations are mostly associated
with Candida spp, the parasite Trichomonas vaginalis infection, and the human papillomavirus.
Oncogenic HPV sub-types 16,18,31,33 and 45 have been greatly associated and contributed to
nearly 70% of all cervical cancers. HPV infections may clear within a period of up to 2 years.
However, for every 1 million women infected with the virus, approximately 10% (100,000) will
develop cervical dysplasia. Persistent infections with high-risk HPV lead to chronic inflammation
through various mechanisms. This inflammation induces oxidative stress on the infected host cells
thus leading to the release of molecules that may cause cellular damage e.g. white, creamy
discharge that is known as leucorrhoea.
Objective: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of high-risk HPV infection in women
presenting with chronic leucorrhoea at Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi City County in the
Gynecology and Obstetrics department.
Study Design: The study adopted a prospective cross-sectional design.
Place and Duration of Study: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics Kenyatta National
Hospital between October and December 2023.
Methodology: The study included 107 women presenting with chronic leucorrhoea aged 18 years
and above who were purposely sampled and screened for high-risk HPV genotypes 16, 18, 31, 33,
35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59, 68 and 73 using real-time PCR.
Results: Among the 107 women in this study, 38 (35.5%) tested positive for high-risk HPV strain
whereas 69 (64.5%) tested negative. The highest positives were observed in HPV 16 (42.1%), then
other hrHPV (36.8%), and finally HPV 18 at 21.0% Out of all the risk factors analyzed (age, history
of substance abuse, number of lifetime sexual partners, age at sexual debut, marital status, level of
education, status of income, and choice of family planning) none was found to have a statistically
significant association with HPV infection.
Conclusion: The prevalence of high-risk HPV infection in women presenting with chronic
leucorrhoea was 35.5% in this study with genotype 16 being the most prevalent. Of all the risk
factors analyzed, none had a statistically significant association with high-risk HPV infection.
Description
Article
Keywords
Leucorrhoea, dysplasia, colposcopy, hysterectomy
Citation
Onyango, W. O., Muitta, E., & Mutuku, O. M. (2024). Prevalence of High-risk HPV Infection in Women Presenting with Chronic Leucorrhoea at Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi City County, Kenya. International Journal of Research and Reports in Gynaecology, 7(1), 214-30.