Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common cause of cervical cancer worldwide. The aim of this study was to
determine the prevalence and to characterize circulating high-risk HPV genotypes among female sex workers in Ouagadougou.
Patients and Methods: A total of 200 sex workers voluntarily agreed to take part in this study and swabs were taken from the endocervical canal for HPV detection. Real-time PCR was used for HPV genotype identification.
Results: Overall HPV carriage infection was 53%. One hundred six (106) sex workers were positive for at least one high-risk HPV
genotype. Fourteen genotypes corresponding to 225 infections, were characterized: HPV 68 (14.6%), HPV 31 (12%), HPV 52 (9.3%),
HPV 51 (8.9%), HPV 56 (7, 6%), HPV 66 (7.6%), HPV 58 (7.1%), HPV 35 (7.1%), HPV 39 (6.2%), HPV 18 (6.2%), HPV 45 (5.8%),
HPV 59 (3.1%), HPV 16 (2.7%), HPV 33 (1.8%). Multiple infection (2 - 9 genotypes) was detected in 53.8% of infected sex workers.
The number of sexual partners was statistically associated with carriage of HPV (p ≤ 0.01, OR = 2.000, 95% CI = 0.56 - 7.14), early
intercourse was not.
Conclusion: The prevalence of HPV carriage in this study was high and associated with having a high number of multiple infections.
Primary preventions such as sex education and vaccine use could significantly decrease the incidence of HPV infections.
Keywords: Sex-Workers; HPV; Genotypes; PCR

Sex-Workers; HPV; Genotypes; PCR