Comparison of the prevalence and distribution of human papillomavirus infection and cervical lesions between urban and native habitants of an Amazonian region of Peru

Addressing the burden of cervical cancer for Indigenous women in Latin America and the Caribbean: a call for action

Cervical cancer, primarily caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, poses a significant global health challenge. Due to higher levels of poverty and health inequities, Indigenous women worldwide are more vulnerable to cervical cancer than their non-Indigenous counterparts. However, despite constituting nearly 10% of the population in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), the true extent of the burden of cervical cancer among Indigenous people in this region remains largely unknown. This article reviews the available information on cervical cancer incidence and mortality, as well as HPV infection prevalence, among Indigenous women in LAC. The limited existing data suggest that Indigenous women in this region face a heightened risk of cervical cancer incidence and mortality compared to non-Indigenous women. Nevertheless, a substantial knowledge gap persists that must be addressed to comprehensively assess the burden of cervical cancer among Indigenous populations, especially through enhancing cancer surveillance across LAC countries. Numerous structural, social and cultural barriers hindering Indigenous women's access to HPV vaccination and cervical cancer screening worldwide have been identified and are reviewed in this article. The discussion highlights the critical role of culturally sensitive education, community engagement, and empowerment strategies in overcoming those barriers. Drawing insights from the success of targeted strategies in certain high-income countries, the present article advocates for research, policies and healthcare interventions tailored to the unique context of LAC countries.

High-risk HPV prevalence and vaccination coverage among Indigenous women in the Colombian Amazon: Implications for cervical cancer prevention. Cross-sectional study

Cervical cancer, primarily caused by Human Papillomavirus (HPV) transmission through sexual contact, necessitates comprehensive strategies to combat its impact on women's health. Yet, certain underserved populations, such as low socioeconomic and ethnic minority groups, encounter barriers in accessing timely interventions and early diagnosis. This cross-sectional study was conducted with the aim of assessing HPV prevalence, genotype distribution, and co-infections among 280 adult women residing in a Colombian Indigenous Reserve within the Amazon region. The research adhered to a community-centric approach that respected cultural norms, native languages, and Indigenous authorities' permission. The study revealed an overall HPV infection prevalence of 31.1% (n = 87, 95% CI 25.7-36.8), with 22.5% (n = 63, 95% CI 17.7-27.8) of women infected by at least one high-risk HPV genotype and 15.0% (n = 42, 95% CI 11-19.7) infected by at least one LR genotype. These results align with the findings of other Colombian studies. Notable high-frequency genotypes included 16, 52, 66, 56, and 68, with the most common combinations being [66-52] and [66-58]. The study also assessed the prevalence of HPV vaccination, revealing a rate of 22.9%, lower than the national average. In vaccinated women, the prevalence of genotypes 16 and 18 was significantly reduced, as anticipated. Importantly, it was observed that 57.1% of all high-risk HPV infections could have been prevented with the use of the nonavalent vaccine. These findings underscore the critical need to enhance adherence to early cervical cancer detection and monitor positive cases to evaluate high-risk HPV persistence. Efforts should be directed toward continuing vaccination coverage against high-risk HPV 16 and 18 with the quadrivalent vaccine, while also striving to make the nonavalent vaccine accessible for inclusion in large-scale public health programs. Additionally, the study did not identify a specific pattern of co-infection. The study emphasizes the significance of adopting a locally tailored epidemiological approach to guide and promote cervical cancer prevention efforts in Indigenous communities.

Cervical cancer screening in Brazilian Amazon Indigenous women: Towards the intensification of public policies for prevention

BACKGROUND

Indigenous women are vulnerable to cervical cancer. Screening is a strategy to reduce the burden of the disease.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the prevalence profile of cervical cancer screening cytological results in Brazilian indigenous women by age and frequency of tests compared to non-indigenous women.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study evaluating the prevalences of screening test results in indigenous women assisted in the Brazilian Amazon from 2007 to 2019 (3,231 tests), compared to non-indigenous women (698,415 tests). The main outcome was the cytological result. Other variables were frequency, age groups, and population. The frequency was categorized as "1st test", the first test performed by the women in their lifetime, or "screening test," tests from women who had previously participated in screening. Analyzes were based on prevalences by age group and population. We used Prevalence Ratios (PR) and 95% Confidence Intervals for risks and linear regression for trends.

RESULTS

Data from the 1st test showed a higher prevalence of Low-grade Squamous Intraepithelial Lesion (LSIL) in indigenous women. Peaks were observed in indigenous under 25, 35 to 39, 45 to 49, and 60 to 64. The prevalence of High-grade Squamous Intraepithelial Lesion or more severe (HSIL+) was low in both groups in women younger than 25. The indigenous HSIL+ prevalence curve showed a rapid increase, reaching peaks in women from 25 to 34 years, following a slight decrease and a plateau. In screening tests, HSIL+ was more prevalent in indigenous from 25 to 39 (PR 4.0,2.3;6.8) and 40 to 64 (PR 3.8,1.6;9.0). In indigenous, the PR of HSIL+ results in screening tests over 1st tests showed no screening effect in all age groups. In non-indigenous, there was a significant effect toward protection in the age groups over 25.

CONCLUSION

This screening study of indigenous women from diverse ethnicities showed a higher prevalence of cytological LSIL and HSIl+ than in non-indigenous women. The protective screening effect in reducing HSIL+ prevalence was not observed in indigenous.

A descriptive analysis of health practices, barriers to healthcare and the unmet need for cervical cancer screening in the Lower Napo River region of the Peruvian Amazon

OBJECTIVES

To undertake an descriptive analysis of the health needs, healthcare practices and barriers to accessing healthcare faced by women in Lower Napo River Region, Peru, and to understand health literacy regarding cervical cancer and the need for more effective cervical cancer screening services.

METHODS

We performed a community-based needs assessment adapting Demographic and Health survey methodology with additional questions determining female health literacy on cervical cancer and assessing the availability and need for cervical cancer screening services. We surveyed women (N = 121) across all households in six communities along the Lower Napo River, Loreto, Peru, in May 2015. Data were collected as part of the larger Amazon Community Based Participation Cervical Cancer Screen-and-Treat Programme. Survey data were compared to national results from ENDES 2014.

RESULTS

Comparison between our findings and the ENDES 2014 survey highlighted considerable inequality between indigenous or mixed indigenous, rural populations in Loreto, Peru, and national population data averages over level of formal education, literacy, barriers to accessing healthcare and maternal and sexual health. Even though only 5.9% (N = 7/117) of women had no formal health insurance coverage, money was reported as the leading barrier accessing healthcare (N = 88/117, 75.2%). Health literacy regarding cervical and breast cancer was poor. A high proportion of women highlighted fear of screening processes (70.8%, N = 80/113) and lack of available services (53.6%, N = 60/112) as barriers to cervical cancer screening.

CONCLUSION

Although progress has been made in improving healthcare access in Peru, such gains have not been experienced equitably and women living in remote communities face persistent marginalization regarding their health. There is a significant need for education related to and screening for cervical cancer in this region that is tailored to the reality of women's lives in remote communities in Loreto.

Frequency and coinfection between genotypes of human papillomavirus in a population of asymptomatic women in northern Peru

Objective

Describe the prevalence of HPV genotypes via PCR and DNA sequencing in 397 women who attended to the gynecological outpatient center in the Hospital Regional Docente de Cajamarca from March to September 2017.

Results

A positive PCR result for HPV was observed in 121 cervical samples. A high-risk genotype was found in 63.6% (77/121) of patients, a probably oncogenic type in 23.1% (28/121) and a low-risk type in 7.4%. Among the high-risk genotypes, HPV-31 was the most common one present in 20% (21/77), followed by HPV-16 in 11.4% (12/77). Coinfections between two or more genotypes were observed in 12 cases.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s13104-018-3644-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.