Human Papillomavirus (HPV) DNA Testing and HPV 16/18 Genotyping Based Cervical Cancer Screening and Knowledge and Perception Concerning Cervical Cancer among Women in Yangon and Ayeyarwady Regions: Part of National Cervical Cancer Screening Program

Myint Myint Than1, Myat Wanna Soe2, Hlaing Myat Thu3, Mu Mu Shwe3*, Myint Moh Soe1, Khine Nwe Tin1, Kyaw Zin Htut1, Tun Min4, Zaw Min Tun2, Khin May Thin2 & Zaw Than Htun

Myanmar Health Sciences Research Journal, Vol. 37, No. 1-3, 2025

This study aimed to conduct HPV-DNA testing with subsequent HPV - 16/18 Genotyping based cervical cancer screening and to determine knowledge and perception concerning cervical cancer among women in Yangon and Ayeyarwady Regions. A cross-sectional study was conducted from 2021-November to 2022-October. Cervical Cancer Screening was performed in total of 9775 women aged-25-65years regardless of their marital status from Yangon and Ayeyarwady Regions. Although all participants (9775) were involved in the HPV DNA testing, only 4381 participants were participated in the research of knowledge and perception on cervical cancer. Background-characteristics, knowledge, and perception about cervical cancer were described with frequency and percentage with 95% CIs. Cells were obtained from the cervix by sterile disposable-cytobrush and collected in cell-collection-media. HPV-DNA testing and HPV-genotyping were performed in the Department of Medical Research. Regarding the knowledge about cervical cancer, 56.9% of the women had moderate knowledge [95% CI: 55.4, 58.4]; 23.5% [95% CI: 22.3, 24.8] of the women had poor knowledge; 19.6% of the participants [95%CI:18.5, 20.8] displayed good knowledge. Majority of the women [84.2%; 95% CI: 83.1, 85.2] had overall good perception towards cervical cancer screening while [15.8%; 95% CI:14.8, 16.9] had poor perception. Overall, HPV was determined in 3.6% (354/9775) of screened women from Yangon and Ayeyarwady Regions. 

Globally, cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer among women, with an estimated 604,127 new cases and 341,831 deaths in 2020 (GLOBOCAN 2020).1 In Myanmar, cervical cancer is the first most common female cancer and the first leading cause of cancer deaths in women aged 15 to 44 years (IARC 2021). Age standardized incidence rate of cervical cancer were 22.6% in Myanmar, 17.8% in Southeast Asia and 13.3% in the world. Age standardized mortality rate of cervical cancer were 14.4% in Myanmar, 9.9% in South East Asia and 7.3% in the world.2

Study population and design A cross-sectional study was conducted from 2021-November to 2022-October. Cervical cancer screening was performed in a total of 9775 healthy women in general population aged-25-65years regardless of their marital status from Yangon and Ayeyarwady Regions. Although all participants (9775) were involved in the HPV DNA testing, only 4381 participants were participated in the 10 research of knowledge and perception on cervical cancer. 

Cervical cancer is one of the main threats to the women’s health, which not only brings great economic burden and psychological pressure to the involved individuals and families, but also increases the national medical financial expenditure. Fortunately, the cause of cervical cancer has been clarified. Moreover, primary prevention with HPV vaccine would contribute to the efficient prevention of the cervical cancer. The prevention and treatment level of cervical cancer is one of the indicators to reflect the fairness of public health service for a specific country, in which early screening method is one of the effective methods to reduce the disease incidence. Moreover, the prevention and early diagnosis of cervical cancer are strongly recommended by the World Health Organization. 

The authors have declared that no competing interest exists.