Incidence of HPV infection in Koprivnica-Križevci county and the role of National program of early detection of cervical cancer

HPV infekcije jesu infekcije uzrokovane humanim papiloma virusima, a najčešće se prenose spolnim kontaktom. U većini slučajeva riječ je o latentnoj infekciji, dok se kod manjeg broja zaraženih pojavljuju određeni simptomi. Do danas je otkriveno više od 100 tipova HPV-a, a samo tipovi visokog rizika (najčešće tip 16 i 18) dovode do razvoja raka vrata maternice. Za primarnu prevenciju primjenjuju se cjepiva, a za sekundarnu sudjelovanje žena u programima probira i edukacija o odgovornom spolnom ponašanju. Prevalencija je HPV infekcija u svijetu od 9 do 13 %. Najveći je broj žena s HPV infekcijom u dobi između 18. i 30. godine. Najvažniji su čimbenici u prijenosu HPV-a rano stupanje u spolne odnose, velik broj spolnih partnera i visokorizični spolni partner. Papa-testom postavljamo sumnju na HPV infekciju, koju potvrđujemo HPV DNK testiranjem. Od studenoga 2012. godine u Hrvatskoj se provodi Nacionalni program ranog otkrivanja raka vrata maternice čiji je cilj prevencija promjena povezanih s HPV-om i raka vrata maternice. Program je namijenjen ženama u dobi od 25 do 64 godine koje u protekle tri godine nisu bile na ginekološkom pregledu koji uključuje Papa-test i tako se testirale na promjene povezane s HPV-om. Uvođenjem programa povećao se broj ginekoloških pregleda, no odaziv je još uvijek mnogo manji od očekivanog i planiranog u Koprivničko-križevačkoj županiji.HPV infections are infections caused by the human papilloma virus and they are most often transmitted by sexual contact. In most cases it is a latent infection, while in a minority of the infected certain symptoms appear. Up to now, more than 100 types of HPV have been discovered, but only high-risk types (mostly type 16 and 18) lead to the development of cervical cancer. Vaccines are used in primary prevention and in secondary prevention women participate in the programs of screening and education about responsible sexual behavior. The prevalence of HPV infection in the world is from 9 to 13%. The largest number of women with HPV infection are between the ages of 18 and 30 years. The most important factors in the transmission of HPV are the early initiation of sexual activity, a high number of sexual partners and high-risk sexual partners. Pap test indicates the possibility of HPV infection, which is further confirmed with HPV DNA testing. Since November 2012, Croatia has been carrying out the National program of early detection of cervical cancer aimed at preventing changes associated with HPV and cervical cancer. The program is intended for women aged 25 to 64 years who three years prior to entering the program did not have a gynecological exam which includes a Pap test, and thus get tested for changes associated with HPV. The implementation of the program has increased the number of gynecological exams, but the response is still much smaller than expected and planned in Koprivnica-Križevci county