Published in PLOS One on 2026-09-09, this study is presented as an attributed evidence briefing. The excerpts below are the original researchers’ words, reproduced under their Creative Commons Attribution licence. HealthSignal has selected the abstract and, where needed, opening background paragraphs; the complete methods, results, limitations and references remain in the linked paper.
Original authors: Rundase Gebeyehu, Seifu Gizaw, Desta Amensisa, Tadesse Bekele, Belay Merkeb, Fedasan Alemu, Gadisa Cewaka
Source: PLOS One • DOI 10.1371/journal.pone.0357771
Read the complete primary study ↗ · Creative Commons Attribution licence
From the researchers
Abstract
Human papillomavirus is a deoxyribonucleic acid virus transmitted primarily sexually. Infection with high-risk human papillomavirus is recognized as the key cause of cervical cancer that is leftover as a public health problem globally. Human immunodeficiency virus infected women of a reproductive age who are on antiretroviral therapy are at higher risk due to debilitated immunity. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the prevalence of high-risk human papillomavirus and associated factors.
An institutional-based cross-sectional study that included 317 HIV-infected women of a reproductive age group attending antiretroviral therapy was conducted in Nekemte town employing a systematic random sampling technique. A structured questionnaire and record reviews were used to gather the data. Cervical specimens were collected from June to August 2024 and tested at Nekemte Public Health Research and Referral Laboratory using the “Abbott real-time high-risk HPV DNA assay”. The collected data were entered into Epi-data version 3.1 and exported to the Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 26 for analysis. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data, and logistic regression analyses were performed to identify the determinants. The odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval was computed to assess the presence and degree of association. Following multivariable model fitting, variables with a p-value < 0.05 after adjustment for multiple testing were considered statistically significant.
The prevalence of high-risk human papillomavirus was 32.2% [95% CI: 27.1–37.6%], while a single genotype infection with HR-HPV-16, HR-HPV-18 and other HR-HPV accounted for 12.75%, 8.82% and 62.7% respectively. On a multivariate logistic regression, having sex before 18 years (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] =3.54, 95%CI: 1.87–6.69), multiple lifetime sex partners (AOR = 3.69, 95%CI: 1.96–6.96), and a history of sexually transmitted infection (AOR = 3.81, 95%CI: 1.93–7.51) were associated with higher odds of infection. Conversely, a longer duration on antiretroviral therapy was associated with lower odds of infection (AOR = 0.18, 95%CI: 0.06–0.54).
The prevalence was high in the study area. Having multiple sex partners, early sexual debut, history of sexually transmitted infections, and shorter duration on antiretroviral therapy were determinants demanding inclusive intervention efforts. Health authorities hence, need to reinforce routine human papillomavirus screening and health education for human immunodeficiency virus infected women of a reproductive age who are on antiretroviral therapy.
Introduction
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is an infectious viral agent of papillomaviridae family that is morphologically small, circular, double-stranded deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) of 8000 base pairs, and non-enveloped virus with icosahedral symmetry. Over 200 HPV types have been identified and more than 40 types are transmitted sexually, thus known as the genital types. Genital HPV is grouped as high-risk HPV (HR-HPV) or low-risk HPV (LR-HPV) based on capability to initiate genital cancer and tropism for epithelia [1–3].
Reading this evidence
Use the full paper to check the study design, participant selection, comparator and outcome definitions before drawing a practical conclusion. An association does not by itself show cause and effect. A reported performance measure needs its denominator and uncertainty. A finding from a particular facility, sample or time period should retain that scope when it is discussed elsewhere.
This briefing makes the source accessible within the wider public health desk. It does not assess an individual patient or certify a product. When considering relevance to another health system, examine the original authors’ account of context and limitations, then seek local implementation evidence. The related reporting below provides other studies to read alongside this one; it is a topic connection, rather than a claim that their results are directly comparable.
© 2026 Rundase Gebeyehu, Seifu Gizaw, Desta Amensisa, Tadesse Bekele, Belay Merkeb, Fedasan Alemu, Gadisa Cewaka. Excerpts reproduced under CC BY. Selection, formatting and contextual notes by HealthSignal. The researchers are the authors of the source study, not members of HealthSignal’s staff.
Explore connected evidence
- Evidence brief: Human papillomavirus genotypes and factors associated with major cervical smear abnormalities in a sickle cell endemic area of Kisangani, Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Evidence brief: Impact of menopausal status on human papillomavirus detection and cervical neoplasia in middle-aged Senegalese women
- Evidence brief: Genotype distribution of high-risk and potential high-risk HPV types among women in different screening and clinic settings in Ghana and Kenya
