OBJECTIVETo study the status of infection and type-specific distribution on human papillomavirus (HPV) in the urban areas of Shenyang city, China and to provide data for vaccine introduction.

METHODSA list of 1000 women aged 15-59 years were obtained randomly from the local population, and a questionnairey was filled in. Samples of cervical cell were obtained from 702 women who had had sexual experience and were not pregnant during the study was carried on. HPV type was detected using a GP5+/6+ -based PCR, liquid-based cytology, VIA, VILI and electronic coloscopy were used for screening on cervical cancer.

RESULTSThe prevalence of any HPV type was 17.0% among the 702 women who had been enrolled in this study, 64.1% in women with abnormal cytology, 11.1% in women with normal cytology and the difference was significant. The prevalence of high-risk HPV type was 11.9% and the low-risk type was 6.5%. The prevalence of either high-risk or low-risk HPV type was significantly higher in women with abnormal cytology than those with normal cytology. There were a total number of 32 HPV types identified and the most common HPV types were 16 (3.4%), 52 (2.4%) and 58 (1.9%). The prevalence rates of either high-risk or low-risk HPV type were not statistically different among different age-groups with P>0.05. HPV types with high risk were predominantly distributed in the groups below 45 years old and the difference was significant with P < 0.05. There was no significant difference between high-risk and low-risk types above 45 years old.

CONCLUSIONThe prevalence of HPV in women with abnormal cytology was statistically higher than those with normal cytology. The most common HPV types in this population were 16, 52 and 58, and the validity of present vaccines was not good enough for cervical cancer prevention in this local area.