Awareness of Cervical Cancer among HIV Positive Women in Southern India

2019 
Background: Cervical cancer is a major problem in developing countries. Women with HIV have a higher risk for the development and progression of cervical cancer.Combination anti retroviral therapy (cART) is freely available in our country since 2004 through antiretroviral therapy (ART) centres. It is expected that HIV-positive women attending ART centres should have good knowledge of cervical cancer. There is hardly any data from India regarding awareness of cervical cancer among females attending ART centre. This study was done to assess the awareness of cervical cancer among HIV positive women attending ART centre in Southern India. Methods: Using a cross-sectional study design, 111 HIV positive females attending ART centre in South India for at least 6 months were interviewed using a questionnaire. Descriptive statistics was calculated with the mean for variables that were normally distributed. To compare proportions, chi-square (χ2) statistics was used. Statistical analyses were performed with SPSS software. A p value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The mean age of the study population was 39.12± 7.49 years. Majority of the study population 89 (80.1%) was literate. In our study 62 (55.9%) were housewives. Out of 111 patients only 27 (24.3%) had heard about cervical cancer. In our study 20(74.1%) had heard about cervical cancer from the treating doctor. Counselor in ART centre did not give them information about cervical cancer during post HIV test counseling or during subsequent visits. Out of 27, 15 (55.55%) of them had heard about Pap smear test , only 6 (22.22%) out of 27 had a Pap smear done. 6 (22.22%) out of 27 had heard about the HPV vaccine. Housewives were more aware of cervical cancer than working women which was statistically significant. Conclusions: The awareness of cervical cancer among patients attending the ART centre was low ,It is clear from our study that educating women about cervical cancer is not a priority at HIV clinics and ART centres. HIV counselors and doctors must educate HIV positive women attending ART centre about cervical cancer.
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