Prevalence of human papilloma virus among adolescents at Kenyatta National Hospital

Abstract

Background:Genital HPV infection is among the most common sexually transmitted disease worldwide. A clear causal relationship has been established between human papilloma virus (HPV) infection and the development of cervical cancer. HPV types 16and 18 are implicated in over 70%of cancer of the cervix. Peer pressure among adolescents leads them to high risk sexual behaviors such as early sexual debut, unprotected sex, multiple sexual partners. These risky sexual behaviors among adolescents predispose them to HPV infection. There is lack of concrete findings of prevalence and distribution of HPV types in Kenya.Some studies have demonstrated limited knowledge on the availability of HPV vaccine and negative attitude towards HPV vaccination by parents. This research will add to the existing knowledge by establishing HPV prevalence by types as well as knowledge gaps of HPV transmission and prevention among adolescents. Findings will inform decision makers about magnitude of HPV infection and effective strategies of preventing new HPV infections particularly scale up of HPV vaccination. Main objective: To determine by DNA typing the prevalence of HPV infection among adolescent girls at Kenyatta National Hospital - Youth Clinic. Methodology: This was a Cross Sectional Study carried out at Kenyatta National Hospital Youth clinic among a random sample of adolescent girls between 12-26 years between December 2009 and October 2010. Self-administered questionnaire was used. Cervical swab was taken from each respondent enrolled in the study. HPV-DNA was analyzed using PCR and type specific genotypes were isolated by Slit blot hybridization. The data obtained was analyzed using SPSS version 17 (SPSS,Chikago). Results: A total of 264 female participants who met the eligibility criteria were enrolled into the study. The prevalence of cervical HPV infection was 9.8%.Of the study participants 72% (n=184) had knowledge of HPV and majority of respondents had knowledge that HPV is sexually transmitted. Majority (88%)of the study participants believed that HPV infection may lead to cancer of the cervix.Association between sexual behavior and HPV status was not statistically different between study participants who were HPV negative and HPV positive. There was no statistical significant association between HPV infection and coexistence of other sexually transmitted infections. Over 89% of participants who were HPV negative believed that condoms playa key role in reducing HPV transmission. Conclusion: The prevalence of HPV among adolescent being cared for at Kenyatta National Hospital was (9.8%).Of the participants who were HPV DNA positive, 27% had co infection with type 18 and 66. This study has implication for HPV vaccination in Kenyan population in the prevention of cervical cancer.