LAUSR

BackgroundCervical cancer is the most common genital malignant tumor in women worldwide. However, the reliability of different detection methods may vary according to populations and epidemics. This study analyzed factors relevant to high-risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV) infection among rural Uyghur women aged > 30 years and evaluated the value of different screening methods for cervical precancerous lesions.MethodsFrom July 2015 to May 2016, 225 rural Uyghur women aged > 30 years were recruited from local health clinics throughout Pishan, Xinjiang, China. HrHPV DNA testing, colposcopy, biopsy of cervical precancerous lesions, and surveys were conducted. The results of different screening methods were compared, and factors associated with hrHPV infection were analyzed.ResultsThe rates of hrHPV infection and cervical epithelial lesions were 9.3 and 1.8%, respectively. The area under the ROC curve was 0.538 (95% CI: 0.292, 0.784; P = 0.753) for the HPV test and 0.995 (95% CI: 0.988, 1.003; P < 0.001) for colposcopy. Factors associated with HPV infection included widowhood (OR = 13.601 (2.170, 85.263), P = 0.005) and ≥ 3 sexual partners in the past 5 years (OR = 16.808 (4.148, 68.101), P < 0.001). .ConclusionsAmong rural Uyghur women aged > 30 years, the main factors for HPV infection include marriage and frequent sexual intercourse. Colposcopy has a higher screening value for cervical epithelial lesions than hrHPV testing.