Vaccine: X · Published 2026-05-26 · DOI 10.1016/j.jvacx.2026.100842
Demisew Amenu Sori, Rahma Ali, Prisha Balgovind, Nega Jibata, Wondimagegn Adissu, Gerezgiher Buruh, Haftamu Hailekiros, Endashaw Nadew, Ashenafi Alemu, Gerald L. Murray, Nigisti Mulholland, Gelila K. Goba, Eva J. Kantelhardt, Alemseged Abdissa, Kim Mulholland, Suzanne M. Garland
Background: Cervical cancer is the second most common and the leading cause of cancer-related death among women in Ethiopia. Persistent infection with high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) is a necessary cause of cervical cancer; however, population-based data on HPV prevalence and genotype distribution in Ethiopia remain limited. This study aimed to determine HPV prevalence and genotype distribution among adolescents and young women in Jimma town, Southwest Ethiopia. Methods: We conducted a population-based cross-sectional study from November 1 to December 31, 2022, among 1456 participants: adolescents aged 15–19 years (n = 704) and young women aged 25–29 years (n = 752). Sexually active participants were interviewed and provided self-collected vaginal samples. Following DNA extraction, HPV detection and genotyping were performed using the Allplex™ II HPV28 Detection Kit. Data were collected using REDCap and analyzed with Stata version 17. Results: Of 1456 samples, 1452 were valid for analysis. Median ages were 19 and 27 years for adolescents and young women, respectively. Overall HPV prevalence was 670 (46.1%) (95% CI: 43.6–48.7), and HR-HPV prevalence was 458 (31.5%) (95% CI:29.1%–33.9%). The most common HR-HPV genotypes were HPV 59, 39, 52, 51, and 56, followed by HPV 16. Vaccine-type HPV prevalence was 130 (9.0%) for the quadrivalent vaccine and 275 (18.9%) for the nine-valent vaccine. Multiple HR-HPV infections were detected in 35.4% of participants. Conclusions: HPV and HR-HPV infections are highly prevalent, with substantial multiple infections. These findings support strengthening HPV vaccination, introducing HPV-based screening, and longitudinal follow-up to inform cervical cancer prevention strategies in Ethiopia.
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Sori, D., Ali, R., Balgovind, P., et al. (2026). Human papillomavirus (HPV) prevalence and genoprevalence in Jimma town of Southwest Ethiopia: a population-based study. Vaccine: X. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvacx.2026.100842