Prevalence and human papillomavirus (HPV) genotype distribution in Suzhou, China

Persistent infection with high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) is a known pathogenic factor of cervical cancer. To develop scientific guidance for cervical cancer screening and HPV vaccination, we analyzed HPV genotypes in Suzhou City, China. This study utilized data from the cervical cancer screening project in Suzhou from 2016 to 2021. A total of 444,471 female residents who voluntarily underwent HPV testing were included in the study. The overall HR-HPV prevalence was 10.2%. The three most common HR-HPV genotypes were HPV52 (2.81%), HPV58 (1.64%), and HPV16 (1.46%). The rate of HPV infection increased with age. Having a junior school education or higher was a protective factor compared to having an education level below junior school. The overall HPV infection rate showed a downwards trend from 2016 to 2021. HPV16 exhibited the fastest annual decline rate, followed by HPV18. As the severity of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia increases, the detection rate of HPV infection significantly increased. In conclusion, in addition to cervical cancer screening, it is important to pay attention to health promotion and education for low-educated women aged 45–59. Considering the distribution of HPV genotypes, prioritizing the administration of high-valency HPV vaccines to local seventh-grade female students is recommended.