Non-sexual transmission modes of human papillomavirus in women: A systematic review.

Abstract

<h4>Objectives</h4>Human papillomavirus (HPV) represents a substantial global health concern. While the evidence supports the notion of sexual transmission as the predominant cause of the condition, studies have also suggested the possibility of non-sexual transmission. The present study sought to investigate non-sexual modes of HPV transmission.<h4>Study design</h4>Systematic review of observational studies (cohort, case-control, cross-sectional).<h4>Methods</h4>This systematic review searched Web of Science, Scopus, and PubMed for studies published between January 2016 and March 2025, using MeSH-based keywords related to non-sexual transmission of HPV. The selection of articles was based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The quality of the articles was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) checklist was applied for reporting.<h4>Results</h4>Following a thorough screening and quality assessment of 1150 initial articles, 11 studies were included in the final analysis. The findings indicated the presence of non-sexual transmission pathways. Of the reviewed studies, four addressed unknown non-sexual transmission, three focused on self-inoculation or heteroinoculation, and five showed the presence of HPV on medical equipment and fomites that suggests the probable source of transmission.<h4>Conclusions</h4>The findings highlight that HPV transmission is not limited to sexual contact. non-sexual pathways also play a significant role in virus propagation. The development of preventive health protocols and adherence to proper hygiene practices, with consideration for various transmission pathways, are of paramount importance.