Prevalence and cognitive factors influencing high-risk HPV infection and cervical diseases in women aged 18–45 in Shijiazhuang city

This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and the awareness levels regarding cervical diseases among women aged 18-45 in Shijiazhuang city. The objectives were to determine the incidence rates of high-risk HPV infections, analyze the patterns of cervical disease occurrence, and identify the factors influencing awareness within this demographic. A total of 544 women aged 18-45 participated in the study, with 102 testing positive for high-risk HPV infection. A structured questionnaire was administered to evaluate awareness of high-risk HPV and cervical diseases. The survey collected data on infection prevalence, subtype distribution, incidence rates, knowledge levels, and factors affecting awareness related to high-risk HPV infections and cervical health. Among the 544 women screened, 102 (18.75%) were diagnosed with high-risk HPV. HPV-16 emerged as the most prevalent subtype, followed by HPV-52 and HPV-58. Of the positive cases, 38 displayed no signs of intraepithelial neoplasia or malignant lesions, while 38 had atypical squamous epithelium, predominantly associated with HPV-52. Low-grade intraepithelial neoplasia was observed in 15 cases, and high-grade neoplasia was found in 11 cases, both primarily linked to HPV-16. Awareness levels varied, with 87 participants demonstrating low knowledge and 15 showing higher awareness. Logistic regression analysis identified education, occupation, residence, and access to scientific knowledge as significant factors influencing awareness and infection risk (P < .05). The prevalence of high-risk HPV infection among women aged 18-45 in Shijiazhuang city is relatively low, with HPV-16 being the predominant subtype. HPV-16 was strongly associated with cervical epithelial neoplasia and cervical cancer. Targeted educational interventions, particularly for populations with lower education levels and those in rural areas, are recommended to enhance awareness and improve the prevention and control of HPV-related infections and cervical diseases.