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RESEARCH ARTICLE

Cervical screening uptake and abnormalities among women attending sexual health clinics for HIV care

Donna M. Tilley A B J , Catherine C. O’Connor A C D , Sunil Adusumilli E F G , Maggie Smith H , Clara Marin-Zapata A , Catriona Ooi G I and David J. Templeton A C D
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A RPA Sexual Health, Community Health, Sydney Local Health District, 16 Marsden St, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia.

B Women’s Health Service, Community Health, Sydney Local Health District, 16 Marsden St, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia.

C The Kirby Institute, Wallace Wurth Building, The University of New South Wales, Kensington, NSW 2052, Australia.

D Central Clinical School, Blackburn Bldg D06, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.

E Department of Community Paediatrics, Community Health, South Western Sydney Local Health District, 1 Campbell St, Liverpool, NSW 2170, Australia.

F School of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia.

G Faculty of Medicine, The University of Sydney, Edward Ford Building A27, NSW 2006, Australia.

H The Albion Centre, South Eastern Sydney Local Health District, 150 Albion St, Surry Hills, NSW 2010, Australia.

I Western Sydney Sexual Health Centre, Western Sydney Local Health District, Level 1, Jeffery House, 162 Marsden St, Parramatta, NSW 2150, Australia.

J Corresponding author. Email: donna.tilley@sswahs.nsw.gov.au

Sexual Health 11(3) 288-290 https://doi.org/10.1071/SH14063
Submitted: 31 March 2014  Accepted: 19 May 2014   Published: 24 July 2014

Abstract

The aim of this study was to describe cervical screening uptake and assess correlates of screen-detected abnormalities in women attending sexual health services for HIV care. Of 156 women, 115 had documentation of a Pap test at least once in 3 years and 9.6% had an annual Pap test performed. Pap abnormalities were associated with younger age, being born in Sub-Saharan Africa, more recent arrival in Australia, lower CD4 count, detectable viral load, shorter time on antiretroviral therapy and more recent HIV diagnosis. Women accessing sexual health services for HIV care, especially those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, appear to be substantially under-screened and efforts to optimise screening are needed.

Additional keywords: carcinoma, cervical cancer, Pap test, smear test, squamous intraepithelial lesions.


References

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