Human papillomavirus and cervical dysplasia in Nunavut: prelude to a screening strategy.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence of oncogenic human papillomavirus' (HPV) in Nunavut and to assess the association between HPV and squamous intraepithelial lesions (SIL) as a prelude to planning a better screening strategy.


METHODS
A cross-sectional study was conducted on the Pap-screened populations in 19 communities in Nunavut, Canada. SIL was determined using Liquid-based cytology, and HPV testing was done using the Hybrid Capture II assay.


RESULTS
Prevalence of oncogenic HPVs in 1,290 women ages 13-79 was 26% and of Cervical Dysplasia was 7.2%. Over 90% of women with SIL had positive HPV tests. Over 75% of women who were HPV positive but SIL negative were under 30 years of age.


CONCLUSIONS
Consideration should be given to using liquid-based cytology for Pap testing. Also consider concurrent HPV testing in those over 30 years old and reflex testing of HPV in those under 30 years old with a positive HPV test.
Healey
Sylvia M
SM
Health Protection Unit, Department of Health, Government of Nunavut, Iqaluit, Nunavut, Canada. shealey@cov.nu.ca
Aronson
KristanJ
K
Mao
Yang
Y
Franco
Eduardo L
EL
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000458:organization & administration*; D008875:Middle Aged; D020957:Nunavut; D027383:Papillomaviridae / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D002578:Uterine Cervical Dysplasia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000821:virology; D014626:Vaginal Smears