Introduction/Background Certain human papillomavirus (HPV) genotypes, particularly types 16 and 18, are implicated in the genesis of cervical cancer, one of the most common cancers in young women. Two preventive vaccines against HPV have been introduced for primary prevention. To study the interest in the integration of this vaccine in the Tunisian vaccination calendar, we conducted this study among Tunisian women to determine their HPV status.

Methodology This was a prospective one-year study (2022) of women aged 25–65 years. All the women had a cervicovaginal smear (FCV) in a liquid medium with an HPV test type Nova prep. In the case of positivity, we completed genotyping.

Results Seventy-three women were included.

The average age was 42.5 years. They were menopausal in 24.6% of cases (n = 18/73). They were married in most cases (n = 64/73), i.e., 87.6%. The socio-economic level was low in 17.8% of cases (n = 13/73). Nine women were illiterate, and 37 had primary education (n = 45/73, or 61.6%). Five women were smokers. One woman reported multiple partners. Two women had a history of sexually transmitted infections. Immunosuppressive treatment was found in one case. Eleven women had a previous FCV (n = 11/73), of which one had a high-grade lesion. The HPV test was negative in 93.1% of cases (n = 68/73). Two cases were positive for genotype 16. The FCV was normal in 64.3% of cases (n = 47/73). The FCV was pathological in the two HPV16-positive cases, with one case of an indeterminate lesion and one of a high-grade lesion. We completed a colposcopy with biopsy for histological examination.

Conclusion Efforts should be focused on the early detection of precancerous lesions through the dissemination of the practice of FCV screening among sexually active women.

Disclosures Conflicts of interest

None