The Need to Incorporate Routine Cervical Cancer Counselling and Screening in the Management of HIV Positive Women in Nigeria

Objective: The study aimed to assess the awareness and utilization of the Pap smear among HIV positivewomen in Lagos, Nigeria. Materials and methods: A descriptive cross sectional survey of women attending theanti-retroviral clinic of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, Lagos State, Nigeria was carried outbetween 1st September and 30th November 2009 using a pre-tested questionnaire. Data were analysed using theEpi-info 3.5 statistical software of the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta USA.
Results: Noneof the 300 respondents reported having received any form of counselling about cervical cancer and screeningduring the post HIV test counseling. Seventy six (25.3%) of them had heard of cervical cancer; Forty eight(16%) were aware of the Pap smear and only 15 (31.3%) of these (5% of the total number of respondents) haveever done the test before. The majority (69.7%) of those who had not been screened despite knowledge of thePap smear, gave non- recommendation by their doctor as the main reason for not doing the test.
Conclusion:Cervical cancer counseling and screening is not part of the routine management of HIV positive women in Lagos,Nigeria. There is need to address this deficiency with appropriate guidelines.