Journal of Reproductive Health and Contraception

Incidence of VIA Positivity in HIV Positive Women Under the Age of 25 in Neno, Rural Malawi

There is a paucity of data regarding cervical cancer screening in HIV positive women less than 25 years old. Cervical cancer in HIV positive women is known to start at a younger age and progress more rapidly despite adequate antiretroviral treatment, but data in this cohort is limited and lower age limits for screening are difficult to determine. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of HIV positive women under the age of 25 who test positive for visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA) or have biopsy proven cervical dysplasia. Methods: Retrospective register review of all patients under the age of 25 with VIA screening in the past 2 years (March 2017 to February 2019) at Neno District Hospital, rural Malawi. All women under the age of 25 were recorded and separated them by HIV serostatus. Proportion of women in each group who were VIA negative, VIA positive, suspected cervical cancer, and results of cervical biopsy were compared.

George Talama, Andrea Walker, Margaret Prior, Sitalire Kapira, Ruth Chiphaka, Hilda Mbalati, David Kitara, Emilia Connolly