High-Risk Human Papillomavirus and Other Sexually Transmitted Infections Among Women Living With Human Immunodeficiency Virus in Jos, Nigeria

Background Women living with human immunodeficiency virus (WLWH) have a higher risk of acquiring human papillomavirus (HPV) and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) due to their compromised immune systems. The presence of HPV, HIV, and other STIs has been implicated in cervical carcinogenesis. This study sought to understand and estimate the association between HPV infection and other STIs among HIV-positive women with and without cervical precancer. Methodology This study looked at women living with HIV who had been diagnosed with either low- or high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions. This study was a part of the U54 cervical cancer project in Jos, Nigeria, from August 2019 to January 2022. Cervical swab samples were used for DNA extraction and genotyping using the HPV 28 Anyplex II (Seegene). To identify seven of the most common STIs, we used the Allplex™ STI Essential Assay (Seegene) and the Allplex™ Genital Ulcer Assay (Seegene) for seven ulcer-causing microbes. Results In total, 101 women were included in this study. The median age of the participants was 50 years (interquartile range = 43-57). The overall HPV prevalence was 65.3% (66/101). Among these, hrHPV infection occurred in 40.0% of the women in the age group of