Prevalence of cervical squamous intraepithelial lesions among HIV-positive women in Enugu, South-eastern Nigeria
Dim, C.C.; Ezegwui, H.U.; Ikeme, A.C.; Nwagha, U.I.; Onyedum, C.C.
Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology the Journal of the Institute of Obstetrics and Gynaecology 31(8): 759-762
2011
ISSN/ISBN: 1364-6893 PMID: 22085071 DOI: 10.3109/01443615.2011.598967Document Number: 552999
HIV infection is a risk factor for cervical cancer and both diseases are prevalent in Nigeria. The study determined the prevalence of cervical squamous intraepithelial lesion (SIL) among HIV-positive women in Enugu state, which has the highest HIV burden in South-eastern Nigeria. Pap smear was carried out on 150 HIV-positive (HIV+ve) women and 150 HIV-negative (HIV?ve) controls at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu, Nigeria from December 2007 to March 2008. The prevalence of SIL for the HIV+ve group and the control group were 12.6% and 4.6%, respectively (p = 0.014). Also, the prevalence of each category of SIL identified in the study, was higher among the HIV+ve group. There is an association between HIV infection and SIL in Enugu, South-eastern Nigeria. Cervical cancer screening should be incorporated into the antiretroviral (ARV) clinics, so as to prevent the impending surge in the burden of cervical cancer in Nigeria.