Implementation of HPV-Based Cervical Cancer Screening in Morocco: Results from a Pilot Study in the General Population and Women Living with HIV

Cervical cancer remains a major public health issue worldwide, and HPV testing is recommended for early detection of precancerous lesions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the implementation of HPV-based cervical cancer screening in pilot sites among the general female population and women living with HIV, including screening outcomes and programmatic performance.A prospective descriptive study was conducted in Salé, Moulay Rachid, and at Ibn Rochd University Hospital. Women aged 30–40 years in the general population and 25–35 years among WLHIV were recruited. HPV DNA testing was performed on clinician-collected and self-collected samples. Sociodemographic data, test results, and follow-up outcomes were recorded.A total of 1,005 women participated. The overall prevalence of high-risk HPV infection was 11.6%, significantly higher among WLHIV (44.7%) compared to the general population (4.4%). Among 99 women referred for colposcopy after a positive test, 45.5% had low-grade lesions, 4% high-grade lesions, and 2% cancer. Of 51 biopsies, most showed CIN1 (58.8%), while smaller proportions had CIN2, CIN3, or adenocarcinoma in situ.Self-sampling was highly accepted, with most participants reporting comfort and willingness to reuse the method. These findings support integrating HPV-based screening, particularly for high-risk groups, into national prevention programs in Morocco.