Abstract 2295: Molecular epidemiology of high-risk HPV circulating in women living with HIV in Nigeria: Protocol for a multi-center cross-sectional study

Abstract Introduction: Cervical cancer (CCa) is the second leading cause of CCa-related deaths among women in Nigeria. Specifically, women living with HIV (WLHIV) face a significantly higher risk of developing CCa. Despite this, comprehensive data on circulating high-risk HPV (hrHPV) strains among WLHIV in Nigeria remains scarce. This study aims to determine the distribution of hrHPV among WLHIV in Nigeria to inform and optimize interventions geared at CCa prevention. Methods: This cross-sectional study will examine fifteen hrHPV in 1, 320 consenting WLHIV in six health facilities from the Nigeria Implementation Science Alliance Model Innovation and Research Centers across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. WLHIV will be eligible for participation if they are between 25-60 years; have not been diagnosed with CCa, have not undergone hysterectomy, and not pregnant. Clinical and demographic data will be collected using a pretested questionnaire. Cervical swab samples will be obtained with a cytobrush and Ayre spatula. The cytobrush will be placed immediately into a sterile specimen tube containing virus transport medium. The cervical specimen collected with ayre spatula will be used to make duplicate cytological smears, fixed in ethanol, and subsequently stained by papanicolaou method. Human Papilloma Virus genotyping assay will be used to detect hrHPV in the study population. For hrHPV-positive samples, papanicolaou staining will classify cytology results using the Bethesda system. Statistical analyses will include descriptive statistics of hrHPV prevalence and distribution. Associations between hrHPV and clinical as well as demographic factors will first be evaluated using Fisher’s exact or Pearson’s chi-squared tests. Multivariable logistic regression will further be used to identify factors associated with hrHPV. Cytological outcomes will be descriptively categorized by hrHPV genotype and participant characteristics. Expected Results: This study will provide reliable and representative data on the prevalent circulating hrHPV and the geographical variation among WLHIV in Nigeria. It will also provide insights into the possible risk factors associated with hrHPV among WLHIV in Nigeria. Conclusion: Findings from this study will be critical to effective CCa prevention and control among WLHIV in Nigeria by bridging the knowledge gap and providing evidence to inform optimization of HPV-DNA screening to target prevalent hrHPV circulating among WLHIV. In addition, it will elicit robust scientific engagement on the potential impact of the HPV vaccination program in this high-risk population. Citation Format: Ijeoma Maryjoy Ifeorah, Babayemi O. Olakunde, Uwem E. George, Stanley C. Eneh, Uduak U. Akpan, Nicholas N. Awolola, Adekunbiola A. Banjo, Chibuike O. Chigbu, Echezona E. Ezeanolue, Lifang Hou, Olubusyi M. Adewumi. Molecular epidemiology of high-risk HPV circulating in women living with HIV in Nigeria: Protocol for a multi-center cross-sectional study [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2025; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2025 Apr 25-30; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2025;85(8_Suppl_1):Abstract nr 2295.