Grace O Daniel
University of Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria
Title: Outcomes of cervical cancer screening among HIV women in Jos, North Central, Nigeria
Biography
Biography: Grace O Daniel
Abstract
The high burden of both HIV and cervical cancer in countries like Nigeria necessitates the need for early detection. Pap smear is an effective screening tool for the early detection of precancerous cervical lesions and other cervical abnormalities. Women with HIV have a higher incidence of abnormal cervical cytology as such screening guidelines recommends yearly screening rather than 3 yearly. The study aimed at determining the outcome of cervical cancer screening among HIV positive women in Jos. A descriptive cross-sectional design was employed for the study. 326 HIV positive (18 years and above) women participated in the study. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine predictors of precancerous cervical lesions. Majority 263(80.6%) of the women had never done a pap smear before. 33(10.1%) had acute inflammation on the cervix; 3(0.9%) had acute inflammation with changes; fungus was seen in 1(0.3%) and acute inflammation and fungus was seen in 1(0.3%). Precancerous cervical lesions was present in 40(12.2%) women. 19(5.8%) had low grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSIL); 13(4.0%) had high grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL); 3(0.9%) had high grade squamous intraepithelial lesions suspect for invasion (HSIL Susp for Inv); 4(1.2%) had atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS) while 1(0.3%) had ASCUS-H. Age (OR: 1.7, 95% CI: 0.3-9.5, p<0.004) and parity (OR: 3.4, 95%CI: 1.3- 9.5, 0.043) were independent predictors of precancerous cervical lesions among HIV positive women. Cervical abnormalities were prevalent among HIV positive women in Jos, Nigeria; strict adherence to the existing protocol of routine Pap smear screening and strengthening family planning services is strongly recommended.
Acknowledgement: Research reported in this publication was supported by the Fogarty International Center (FIC); Office of the Director (OD/NIH); National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS/NIH); and the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR/NIH) of the National Institutes of Health under Award Number ID43 TW010130-02. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the views of the National Institutes of Health.