Abstract
BACKGROUND: HIV-infected women are five times more likely to develop invasive cervical cancer. Routine screening can detect early signs of cancer and provide an opportunity for treatment. However, suboptimal screening rates are reported in this population. This retrospective study examined the rates of cervical cancer screening in HIV-positive women, conducted according to the current guidelines, from 2014 to 2016 in an inner-city clinic. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We implemented focused scheduling for eligible women by a designated medical assistant. Testing was conducted using Thin Prep™ and Cervista HPV HR™. Chi-square tests and logistic regression models were used to assess predictors of cervical cancer screening in 2016. RESULTS: A total of 360 adult HIV-infected women were active in medical care, as of December 31, 2016. Most were African American (77%) and aged 51-60 years (38%). In 2016, 75% of women met the guidelines for cervical cancer screening, compared to 48% in 2014. There was a significant association between receipt of cervical cancer screening in the prior 3 years and screening in 2016. In an adjusted model, those with a prior screening were 6.88 times (95% CI, 3.47-13.67) more likely to be screened in 2016, compared to those who were never previously screened. CONCLUSION: Focused scheduling and implementation of the updated cervical cancer screening guideline extending the period of rescreening, after 3 yearly negative results or negative Papanicolaou/human papilloma virus testing, resulted in an increased proportion of women meeting the current guideline.