Prevalence of abnormal cervical smears among patients with HIV in Lagos, Nigeria

There are over four million people living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria. Cervical cancer is the most common genital cancer in Nigeria. There are many reports on the association of HIV with increased risk of cervical dysplasia.

To determine the prevalence of abormal cervical smears in Nigerian women who are HIV positive in Lagos.

Cervical smears were taken from 233 HIV positive women and 235 HIV negative women who attended the HIV clinic and the family planning clinic respectively of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital during the period January-April 2004. Proportions were compared with the X2 test.

Data were complete for analysis in 227 of HIV positive and 228 of HIV negative women. Mean (SD) ages of HIV positive and HIV negative patients were respectively 35.2 (9.81) and 34.5 (7.37) years. Prevalence of squamous intraepithelial lesion (SIL) was higher in those who were HIV positive than in those who were HIV negative, 10.9% vs 4.3% (X2, 7.04; p=0.00798). Prevalence of high grade SIL was higher in HIV positive than HIV negative subjects, 7.9% vs 2.6% (X2, 6.38; p=0.0115). There was no significant difference in the prevalence of inflammatory smears, 15.7% in HIV positive vs 16.2% in HIV negative.

Prevalence of cervical dysplasia is high in women who harbour HIV.