Cancer of the uterine cervix is one of the most common cancers among women worldwide, the highest incidence being observed among developing countries. The medical screening method commonly known as the Pap smear or the Papanicolaou test used for cervical cancer screening has many disadvantages like interobserver and intraobserver variability, low predictive value and a high false negative rate. Due to these limitations, there is a need for more objective parameters for accurate diagnosis of cervical intraepithelial neoplasm.  The aims of the study were to find out the prevalence of high risk HPV-16 in cervical smears by immunohistochemical method and to identify the risk factors associated with HPV-16 infection. 173 patients were screened in the study for HPV infection by using immunohistochemical marker Anti HPV-16. A total of 82 patients showed positivity with Anti HPV-16.A prevalence of 47.40% for HPV infection was obtained. The risk factors known to be associated with Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) infection analysed were age of the patient,  age of marriage, parity and history of intake of Oral contraceptive pills. No statistically significant association was found between the above risk factors and HPV infection.

Keywords: Cervical cancer, HPV infection, Immunohistochemistry, Anti HPV 16, risk factors.

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Dr Preesha Balan

B-501/502, Pinnacle,Vasant Oscar, L.B.S Marg,

Mulund (West), Mumbai, Maharashtra, India