To investigate the detection status of human papillomavirus (HPV) among adult women in high-altitude regions of Xizang.

A retrospective analysis was conducted on HPV genotyping results from outpatient, inpatient, and healthy adult female populations at Xizang Autonomous Region People's Hospital between March 2019 and July 2023. HPV positivity rates were compared across different ethnic groups and age strata, and temporal trends in HPV detection were analyzed.

A total of 6498 adult women with HPV testing were included, with a mean age of (39.5±9.8) years, including 5440 Tibetan and 1058 Han women. The overall HPV positivity rate was 19.58%(1272/6498), predominantly single-type infections (14.99%), while double (3.71%) and triple-or-more infections (0.88%) were less common. Han women had a significantly higher HPV positivity rate than Tibetan women [29.30%(310/1058) vs. 17.68% (962/5440), P < 0.001]. Among Tibetan women, the top five high-risk HPV types were HPV 52(3.27%), HPV 16(2.68%), HPV 58(2.35%), HPV 53(1.64%), and HPV 31(1.18%). In Han women, the most prevalent types were HPV 52(6.24%), HPV 16(5.39%), HPV 58(3.40%), HPV 53(2.27%), and HPV 68(1.89%). In the overall population, the highest HPV positivity rates were observed in the < 25 years(36.76%) and 60-64 years(32.41%) age groups. Tibetan women exhibited a U-shaped age-specific HPV prevalence trend, whereas no such pattern was observed in Han women. From 2019 to 2023, HPV positivity rates showed an overall declining trend in both ethnic groups, though a slight rebound occurred in 2023.

The HPV positivity rate among adult women in high-altitude Xizang is relatively high, with significant differences in age-specific prevalence and dominant genotypes between Tibetan and Han women. Targeted measures, including HPV vaccination for young women and enhanced screening and treatment for both young and postmenopausal women, should be prioritized in this region.