ISSN 2736-1748
African Journal of AIDS and HIV Research ISSN: 2326-2691 Vol. 4 (2), pp. 196-200, February, 2016. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Correlates and risk factors for abnormal papanicolaou smear among HIV infected and HIV non infected women in Northeastern Nigeria
Umaru Inuwa1, Calvin Chama2, Bala Audu2, Jessy Obed2, Haruna Ngadda3, Mohammed Bukar2, Salisu Kwayabura2, Babagana Bako2, Ballah Akawu Denue4, Ukaobasi Alex5, Bukar Musa3, Anna Peter2
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Federal medical centre Yola, Adamawa State, Nigeria.
2Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria.
3Department of Histopathology University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria.
4Department of Internal Medicine, University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria.
5Department of Histopathology Federal Medical Centre Yola, Adamawa State, Nigeria.
Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]. Tel: +2348035763388
Accepted 20 February, 2016
Abstract
Background: Universal access to antiretroviral therapy has resulted in increased life expectancy among HIV infected women clients, however the risk of certain clinical conditions including premalignant lesion of the cervix may remain or enhanced compared with HIV negative control. Objectives: To compare the prevalence and the risk factors of abnormal Pap smear among HIV positive and HIV negative women attending clinics of two tertiary hospitals in Northeastern Nigeria. Methodology: This was a hospital based case control cross sectional study involving three hundred and sixty-five consecutive consenting HIV infected women and three hundred and sixty-five HIV non- infected women. Socioeconomic and clinical variables, abnormal Pap smear and CD4 cell count of all the HIV positive women were recorded. Results: Abnormal Pap smear among HIV infected women of 47.94 % (18.1% epithelial and 29.8% benign cells abnormalities) in this report was higher than 31.78% (8.0% epithelial and 23.78% benign cells abnormalities) among HIV non-infected women. A negative correlation was observed between CD4 cell count and the abnormal Pap smear. Other correlates of abnormal Pap smear include early coitache, multiple sexual partners and low social class. Conclusion: HIV infection is associated with increased risk of abnormal Pap smear in women. Other risk factors associated with abnormal Pap smear, include early coitache, multiple sexual partners and low social class. Recommendation: Cervical screening should be included among investigations in evaluating HIV infected women.
Key words: Abnormal Pap smear, HIV, CD4 cell count, risk factors, HPV.