Prevalence of HPV induced lesions of the cervix among gynaecological clinic attendees in Namibia :association of risk factors and cytomorphologic findings

Abstract

Introduction: A prospective study was conducted across the spectrum of cervical aberrancies with the aim of assessing the distribution of HPV relating to the degree of cervical abnormalities using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and P16INK4A assay as a marker for cervical disease progression. Patient demographics including their sexual, contraceptive and screening history were evaluated to determine whether subsidiary risk factors contribute towards the development of cervical lesions among Namibian women.

Methods: From Feb 2006 to March 2007, 187 women with abnormal cervical cytology were examined. Cervical smears were immunostained using the P16INK4A assay (Dakocytomation, Heidelberg, Germany). Brown discolourisation of the nucleus and/or cytoplasm of abnormal cells were considered positive for P16 immunoexpression. Absence of brown decolourisation in the nucleus or cytoplasm of abnormal cells was considered negative for P16 immunoexpression. DNA was successfully extracted from 182 specimens, and the respective samples were subjected to PCR using GP5+/6+ primers. Type-specific (HPV types 16 and 18) PCR were also applied. Patients’ sociodemographics, sexual and reproductive history, HIV status, contraceptive use and Pap smear history were all recorded.