SCREENING FOR HUMAN PAPILLOMAVIRUS USING SELF-COLLECTED CERVICAL SAMPLES FROM WOMEN DEPRIVED OF LIBERTY IN THE STATE OF AMAZONAS, BRAZIL

Abstract

Objective: The aim of the study was to identify the prevalence of human papillomavirus (HPV) infections using a self-collection device and also describe the frequency of P16INK4a overexpression in women deprived of liberty (WDL). Methods: This observational, cross-sectional, descriptive, analytical, and epidemiological study of the prevalence of HPV infection included 268 women deprived of liberty (WDL) in the state of Amazonas who performed self-collection using the Roche® HPV CTNG test. Patients with positive HPV results were submitted to a Pap smear in liquid medium, colposcopy, an immunocytochemistry evaluation using P16INK4a, and a biopsy, when necessary. Results: The age of the 268 women ranged from 19 to 64 years (mean±standard deviation: 33.5±9.1 years). HPV was detected in 66 (24.6%) women: 12 (4.5%) had HPV 16, 3 (1.1%) had HPV 18, 51 (19%) had other high-risk HPV genotypes, 21 (7.8%) had inconclusive results and 181 (67.5%) had negative results. Two women had a high-grade lesion and 13 had a low-grade lesion. Eight women showed alterations in their Pap smear and 32 (64%) presented overexpression of P16INK4a. Self-collection was well-accepted by 95.9% of the WDL. Conclusion: This study shows that the prevalence of HPV among the sample of WDL was high, that self-collection as a screening method was well-accepted and that the prison population has peculiar characteristics since there is a higher prevalence of other high-risk HPV genotypes.