title: Prevalence of high-risk human papillomavirus infections in healthy Saudi women attending gynecologic clinics in the western region of Saudi Arabia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Infection with human papillomavirus (HPV) is the major cause of cervical cancer. There is little published data on the prevalence of HPV infection among Saudi women. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of HPV in a group of women in the western region of Saudi Arabia.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective study of Saudi women seeking gynecologic care at King Abdulaziz University Hospital from March 2010 to January 2011.
  
  
  METHODS
  Four hundred eighty-five Saudi women of different age groups attending gynecology clinic were tested for high-risk HPV DNA. HPV DNA was detected in cervical scrapes using Hybrid Capture 2 (HC2) high-risk HPV DNA test. The prevalence of HPV DNA positivity in different age groups was calculated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Out of the 485 specimens, 27 (5.6%) were positive for the high-risk HPV. The highest percentage was among women aged 60 years and older. Patients in the age group 40-49 years were more likely to accept HPV testing with a total of 188 patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The prevalence of HPV in this group of Saudi women is similar to what was reported in some Arab countries and lower than that reported in developed countries. This information could be used to help in establishing a primary screening program using HPV DNA testing in Saudi Arabia.
authors: Faculty of Medicine King Abdulaziz University, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. bondagji_nabeel@hotmail.com
authors: Nabeel Salem
authors: NS
authors: Bondagji
authors: Faten Salah
authors: FS
authors: Gazzaz
authors: Khalid
authors: K
authors: Sait
authors: Layla
authors: L
authors: Abdullah
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000821:virology*; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000302:isolation & purification; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer / Q000379:methods*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D027383:Papillomaviridae / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012529:Saudi Arabia / Q000453:epidemiology; D014412:Tumor Virus Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000821:virology; D014626:Vaginal Smears
chemical_list: D004279:DNA, Viral