Prevalence and genotypes’ distribution of human papillomavirus among women in Saudi Arabia: a systematic review and meta-analysis

IntroductionHuman Papillomavirus (HPV) is a prevalent sexually transmitted infection that can lead to benign lesions, premalignant changes, and cancer. Despite its significance, studies in Saudi Arabia report inconsistent findings regarding HPV prevalence and risk factors. This systematic review and...

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Main Authors: Mohammed S. Aldossary, Mohammed Mufrrih, Mervat M. El Dalatony, Hatoon M. Alamri
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-05-01
Series:Frontiers in Public Health
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1580699/full
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author Mohammed S. Aldossary
Mohammed Mufrrih
Mohammed Mufrrih
Mervat M. El Dalatony
Hatoon M. Alamri
Hatoon M. Alamri
author_facet Mohammed S. Aldossary
Mohammed Mufrrih
Mohammed Mufrrih
Mervat M. El Dalatony
Hatoon M. Alamri
Hatoon M. Alamri
author_sort Mohammed S. Aldossary
collection DOAJ
description IntroductionHuman Papillomavirus (HPV) is a prevalent sexually transmitted infection that can lead to benign lesions, premalignant changes, and cancer. Despite its significance, studies in Saudi Arabia report inconsistent findings regarding HPV prevalence and risk factors. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the prevalence and genotype distribution of HPV among women in Saudi Arabia.MethodsA systematic literature search was conducted across multiple electronic databases (January 1990–August 2024). Studies reporting HPV prevalence among women in Saudi Arabia, regardless of nationality or health status, were included. The pooled prevalence was calculated using a random-effects model, with log-transformed proportions and 95% confidence intervals (CI).ResultsTwenty-two studies (n = 15,224 women) met the inclusion criteria. The pooled prevalence of HPV among women attending cervical screening was 14.9% (95% CI: 10.9–18.9%), with substantial heterogeneity (I2 = 97.4%, p < 0.001). Subgroup analysis by region showed a higher prevalence in Riyadh (19.1, 95% CI: 13.1–25%) compared to the Western region (6.1, 95% CI: 3.7–8.4%). Among women with gynecological malignancies, the pooled prevalence was 68.1% (95% CI: 49–87.1%). HPV-16 was the most common genotype (35.4%), followed by HPV-18 (10.9%). Other high-risk types (HPV-45, 31, 33, 35, 52, and 58) accounted for 2.2–13.7% of infections.ConclusionHPV prevalence in Saudi Arabia is comparable to global figures, though significant geographic variability exists. A national screening survey is necessary to establish the true prevalence and inform preventive strategies.Systematic Review RegistrationPROSPERO No. CRD42024583260.
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spelling doaj-art-a3504f2376e84efebf903856aae52bba2025-08-20T03:10:06ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Public Health2296-25652025-05-011310.3389/fpubh.2025.15806991580699Prevalence and genotypes’ distribution of human papillomavirus among women in Saudi Arabia: a systematic review and meta-analysisMohammed S. Aldossary0Mohammed Mufrrih1Mohammed Mufrrih2Mervat M. El Dalatony3Hatoon M. Alamri4Hatoon M. Alamri5General Directorate of Research and Studies, Ministry of Health, Riyadh, Saudi ArabiaDepartment of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi ArabiaSpecial Infectious Agents Unit BSL-3, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi ArabiaPublic Health and Community Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Menofia University, Shebin Elkom, EgyptGeneral Directorate of Research and Studies, Ministry of Health, Riyadh, Saudi ArabiaLaboratory and Blood Bank Department, King Abdullah Medical City, Makkah, Saudi ArabiaIntroductionHuman Papillomavirus (HPV) is a prevalent sexually transmitted infection that can lead to benign lesions, premalignant changes, and cancer. Despite its significance, studies in Saudi Arabia report inconsistent findings regarding HPV prevalence and risk factors. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the prevalence and genotype distribution of HPV among women in Saudi Arabia.MethodsA systematic literature search was conducted across multiple electronic databases (January 1990–August 2024). Studies reporting HPV prevalence among women in Saudi Arabia, regardless of nationality or health status, were included. The pooled prevalence was calculated using a random-effects model, with log-transformed proportions and 95% confidence intervals (CI).ResultsTwenty-two studies (n = 15,224 women) met the inclusion criteria. The pooled prevalence of HPV among women attending cervical screening was 14.9% (95% CI: 10.9–18.9%), with substantial heterogeneity (I2 = 97.4%, p < 0.001). Subgroup analysis by region showed a higher prevalence in Riyadh (19.1, 95% CI: 13.1–25%) compared to the Western region (6.1, 95% CI: 3.7–8.4%). Among women with gynecological malignancies, the pooled prevalence was 68.1% (95% CI: 49–87.1%). HPV-16 was the most common genotype (35.4%), followed by HPV-18 (10.9%). Other high-risk types (HPV-45, 31, 33, 35, 52, and 58) accounted for 2.2–13.7% of infections.ConclusionHPV prevalence in Saudi Arabia is comparable to global figures, though significant geographic variability exists. A national screening survey is necessary to establish the true prevalence and inform preventive strategies.Systematic Review RegistrationPROSPERO No. CRD42024583260.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1580699/fullHPV infectioncervical cancergenotypeSaudi Arabiameta-analysis
spellingShingle Mohammed S. Aldossary
Mohammed Mufrrih
Mohammed Mufrrih
Mervat M. El Dalatony
Hatoon M. Alamri
Hatoon M. Alamri
Prevalence and genotypes’ distribution of human papillomavirus among women in Saudi Arabia: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Frontiers in Public Health
HPV infection
cervical cancer
genotype
Saudi Arabia
meta-analysis
title Prevalence and genotypes’ distribution of human papillomavirus among women in Saudi Arabia: a systematic review and meta-analysis
title_full Prevalence and genotypes’ distribution of human papillomavirus among women in Saudi Arabia: a systematic review and meta-analysis
title_fullStr Prevalence and genotypes’ distribution of human papillomavirus among women in Saudi Arabia: a systematic review and meta-analysis
title_full_unstemmed Prevalence and genotypes’ distribution of human papillomavirus among women in Saudi Arabia: a systematic review and meta-analysis
title_short Prevalence and genotypes’ distribution of human papillomavirus among women in Saudi Arabia: a systematic review and meta-analysis
title_sort prevalence and genotypes distribution of human papillomavirus among women in saudi arabia a systematic review and meta analysis
topic HPV infection
cervical cancer
genotype
Saudi Arabia
meta-analysis
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1580699/full
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