Monitoring the presence of human papillomavirus in public areas indicates non-sexual transmission of the virus and environmental risk

HPV was detected in all four locations, with a more pronounced positivity rate found in general hospitals and obstetrics and gynecology hospitals. Squat toilets exhibited the highest positivity rate among sampling areas. High-risk HPV types were significantly more prevalent than low-risk types, and positive rates were higher in the high and medium concentration groups compared to the low concentration group. Notably, high-concentration HPV residues can persist for up to 7 h. These findings suggest that public restroom may serve as potential sources of HPV transmission, with shared public areas such as door handles, washbasins, and squat toilets representing possible routes for non-sexual transmission of the virus.