Pap testing among newly diagnosed women living with HIV/AIDS (WLWHA) in South Carolina (SC): routine screening and abnormal follow-up behaviors of HIV-positive female SC medicaid recipients 18-64 years between 2005-2009

Lisa T Wigfall,James R Hébert,Saundra H Glover,Heather Kirby,Robin Puett,Sharon M Bond,Heather M Brandt,Wayne A Duffus

doi:10.1186/1750-9378-7-s1-p18

Abstract

Background Oncogenic human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is a main cause of cervical cancer. HIV-positive women are at an increased risk of becoming infected with high risk HPV (hrHPV) types that can lead to cervical cancer. Unlike other AIDS defining cancers, such as Kaposi’s sarcoma and Hodgkin’s lymphoma, the incidence of invasive cervical cancer among WLWHA has not decreased with the arrival of highly active antiretroviral therapies (HAART). [1,2] Annual Pap tests are recommended for WLWHA because the risk of developing cervical cancer, an AIDS defining illness, is increased in this group.[3] Early detection of abnormal, precancerous cells and following up on abnormal cytology results is essential to the prevention and control of cervical cancer among WLHWA.

Highlights

Oncogenic human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is a main cause of cervical cancer
Material and methods Approval was obtained from USC and SCDHEC’s institutional review boards (IRBs) to link the SC Medicaid and HIV/AIDS Reporting System (HARS) databases
An abnormal Pap test diagnosis was found in 21% (250 of 1,183) of our sample

Summary

Background

Oncogenic human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is a main cause of cervical cancer. HIV-positive women are at an increased risk of becoming infected with high risk HPV (hrHPV) types that can lead to cervical cancer. Unlike other AIDS defining cancers, such as Kaposi’s sarcoma and Hodgkin’s lymphoma, the incidence of invasive cervical cancer among WLWHA has not decreased with the arrival of highly active antiretroviral therapies (HAART). [1,2] Annual Pap tests are recommended for WLWHA because the risk of developing cervical cancer, an AIDS defining illness, is increased in this group.[3] Early detection of abnormal, precancerous cells and following up on abnormal cytology results is essential to the prevention and control of cervical cancer among WLHWA

Material and methods

Results

Conclusions

Palefsky J