Background: Cervical cancer, principally caused by sustained high-risk Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection, continues to be a significant health challenge in Nigeria. Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is a prevalent custom in some regions of the country, yet its potential role as a co-factor in HPV susceptibility has been understudied. This research investigated FGM as a possible risk factor of HPV infection among reproductive aged women (18–50 years) in Ekiti State.
Methods: This was a cross-sectional, diagnostic, and laboratory-based study involving 110 consenting women attending the Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido-Ekiti (FETHI), between February and July 2025. Data on socio-demographics and risk factors were collected using a structured questionnaire. HPV exposure was assessed via anti-HPV IgG antibody detection (RDT) in serum, and active infection was confirmed and using Real-Time PCR on urine samples of the participants. An analysis of the association between HPV infection and FGM status was performed using the Chi-square test. The results were deemed statistically significant if the p-value was less than 0.05.
Results: The total percentage of women with of HPV exposure (IgG antibodies) was 30.0%, while the prevalence of active infection (PCR-confirmed) was 10.9%. A highly significant association was established between FGM and HPV infection for both RDT (chi^2 = 20.112, p < 0.001) and PCR (chi^2 = 12.281, p = 0.006) methods. Participants who had undergone FGM showed a markedly higher prevalence of infection (51.0% for RDT; 22.4% for PCR) compared to those who had not (20.0% for RDT; 3.3% for PCR).
Conclusion: FGM is significantly associated with an increased prevalence of both past exposure and active HPV infection in this population. This finding provides critical, context-specific evidence, suggesting that FGM may act as an independent co-factor for HPV susceptibility and persistence. Public health strategies aimed at cervical cancer prevention in this region must integrate the complete eradication of FGM alongside robust HPV vaccination and screening programs.
