AATHIKA ,J. AKALYA, S. ANBARASI,S. ANUSUYA DINESH KUMAR.R,RAGHAVENDRAN. M
DOI: https://doi.org/Genital human papillomavirus (HPV) is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections worldwide, primarily spreading through sexual contact, including vaginal, anal, and oral intercourse. It is a significant public health concern, with approximately 630 million people already infected and around 6 million new cases reported each year. The prevalence of HPV tends to increase among individuals aged 14 to 24 years before gradually declining. Studies suggest that nearly 80% of women will acquire an HPV infection at some point in their lives. Even among those who have had only one sexual partner, the risk of contracting HPV within three years of their first sexual encounter is estimated to be 46%. Vaccination of secondary target populations, such as older adolescent females and young women, may be considered if it is financially viable, does not divert resources from vaccinating the primary target group, and does not interfere with cervical cancer screening programs. However, this strategy is most effective when a significant proportion of the secondary target population has not yet been exposed to vaccine-related HPV types.
