Human Papillomavirus in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries: What Do We Know and What is Missing? A Mapping Review
1
Infectious Diseases Epidemiology Research Advancement Unit (IDERA), Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
Human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated cervical cancer is an increasing public health concern in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region, yet regional evidence remains limited and fragmented. This review synthesizes peer-reviewed HPV research conducted in GCC countries between 2005 and 2025.
METHODS:
A comprehensive literature search using broad terms related to HPV and cervical cancer was conducted across five databases: PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, and the Cochrane Library. Studies from the six GCC member states, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, and Kuwait, were included and categorized into six research-focused themes: (1) epidemiology and molecular characterization; (2) screening and diagnostics; (3) knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP); (4) barriers and determinants of vaccine uptake and screening; (5) health communication; and (6) policy and health systems evaluation.
RESULTS:
A total of 107 studies were identified: 23 from the UAE, 51 from Saudi Arabia, 11 from Qatar, eight from Bahrain, five from Oman, and nine from Kuwait. Among these, 41 addressed epidemiology and molecular characterization, four examined screening and diagnostics, 26 focused on KAP, 31 investigated barriers to vaccine uptake and screening, one assessed health communication, and four analyzed policy and system-level factors. Epidemiological studies reported low-to-moderate HPV prevalence but a high burden of oncogenic genotypes, particularly HPV16/18. Screening studies showed good diagnostic performance and public acceptability but minimal implementation evidence. KAP studies indicated low awareness, variable vaccine acceptance, and demographic disparities. Common barriers included low perceived risk, sociocultural sensitivity, safety concerns, cost, and inadequate counseling. Policy analyses highlighted inconsistent vaccine rollout, weak screening infrastructure, and opportunities for HPV testing, self-sampling, and school-based immunization strategies.
CONCLUSIONS:
Despite growing HPV research in the GCC, descriptive studies predominate. Major gaps persist in implementation and health systems research, inclusion of key populations, serological investigations, and population-based assessments of HPV prevalence and vaccine impact.
Human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated cervical cancer is an increasing public health concern in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region, yet regional evidence remains limited and fragmented. This review synthesizes peer-reviewed HPV research conducted in GCC countries between 2005 and 2025.
METHODS:
A comprehensive literature search using broad terms related to HPV and cervical cancer was conducted across five databases: PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, and the Cochrane Library. Studies from the six GCC member states, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, and Kuwait, were included and categorized into six research-focused themes: (1) epidemiology and molecular characterization; (2) screening and diagnostics; (3) knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP); (4) barriers and determinants of vaccine uptake and screening; (5) health communication; and (6) policy and health systems evaluation.
RESULTS:
A total of 107 studies were identified: 23 from the UAE, 51 from Saudi Arabia, 11 from Qatar, eight from Bahrain, five from Oman, and nine from Kuwait. Among these, 41 addressed epidemiology and molecular characterization, four examined screening and diagnostics, 26 focused on KAP, 31 investigated barriers to vaccine uptake and screening, one assessed health communication, and four analyzed policy and system-level factors. Epidemiological studies reported low-to-moderate HPV prevalence but a high burden of oncogenic genotypes, particularly HPV16/18. Screening studies showed good diagnostic performance and public acceptability but minimal implementation evidence. KAP studies indicated low awareness, variable vaccine acceptance, and demographic disparities. Common barriers included low perceived risk, sociocultural sensitivity, safety concerns, cost, and inadequate counseling. Policy analyses highlighted inconsistent vaccine rollout, weak screening infrastructure, and opportunities for HPV testing, self-sampling, and school-based immunization strategies.
CONCLUSIONS:
Despite growing HPV research in the GCC, descriptive studies predominate. Major gaps persist in implementation and health systems research, inclusion of key populations, serological investigations, and population-based assessments of HPV prevalence and vaccine impact.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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