Human Papillomavirus has been associated with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC), involving several risk factors in different parts of the world. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of high-risk HPV 16 and HPV 18, and factors associated with this prevalence, among patients with oral and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma who attended Mulago Hospital, Uganda, from 2010 to 2015.

This was a retrospective study in which 174 tissue blocks from individual patients, with confirmed oral and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma, were retrieved from the archives. The corresponding medical charts of the patients were reviewed for demographic and clinical data. HE stained sections of the tissue blocks were reviewed for reconfirmation of OSCC& OPSCC. The samples were genotyped for HPV 16, 18 using Multiplex PCR techniques. The data was analysed using R.

All 174 samples were confirmed positive for OSCC & OPSCC. HPV DNA was positive in 128 individuals (74%), 46 tested negative. HPV 16 alone occurred in 55 (32%) subjects and HPV 18 alone occurred in 37 (21%). Double infection was present in 36 individuals (21%). HIV was the only risk factor significantly associated with HPV 16 on OSCC& OPSCC (p = 0.018).

Overall, HPV 16 and 18 are key etiological factors in oral and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma pathogenesis in the Ugandan population, with a high prevalence. The results suggest that HIV positive individuals are at a higher risk of acquiring HPV 16 associated OPSCC. Alcohol consumption and cigarette smoking are not factors associated with HPV associated OPSCC in this study population.