Prevalence and predictors of squamous intraepithelial lesions of the cervix in HIV-infected women in Lusaka, Zambia

Objectives.: HIV-infected women living in resource-constrained nations like Zambia are now accessing antiretroviral therapy and thus may live long enough for HPV-induced cervical cancer to manifest and progress. We evaluated the prevalence and predictors of cervical squamous intraepithelial lesions (SIL) among HIV-infected women in Zambia. Methods.: We screened 150 consecutive, non-pregnant HIV-infected women accessing HIV/AIDS care services in Lusaka, Zambia. We collected cervical specimens for cytological analysis by liquid-based monolayer cytology (ThinPrep Pap Test®) and HPV typing using the Roche Linear Array® PCR assay. Results.: The median age of study participants was 36 years (range 23-49 years) and their median CD4+ count was 165/μL (range 7-942). The prevalence of SIL on cytology was 76% (114/150), of which 23.3% (35/150) women had low-grade SIL, 32.6% (49/150) had high-grade SIL, and 20% (30/150) had lesions suspicious for squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). High-risk HPV types were present in 85.3% (128/150) women. On univariate analyses, age of the participant, CD4+ cell count, and presence of any high-risk HPV type were significantly associated with the presence of severely abnormal cytological lesions (i.e., high-grade SIL and lesions suspicious for SCC). Multivariable logistic regression modeling suggested the presence of any high-risk HPV type as an independent predictor of severely abnormal cytology (adjusted OR: 12.4, 95% CI 2.62-58.1, p = 0.02). Conclusions.: The high prevalence of abnormal squamous cytology in our study is one of the highest reported in any population worldwide. Screening of HIV-infected women in resource-constrained settings like Zambia should be implemented to prevent development of HPV-induced SCC

Implementation of 'see-and-treat' cervical cancer prevention services linked to HIV care in Zambia

Greater than 80% of the world's new cases and deaths due to cervical cancer occur in the developing world. No more than 5% of women in these settings are screened for cervical cancer even once in their lifetimes. Earlier attempts to establish population-based cervical cancer prevention programs using cytology screening in resource-limited settings have inevitably fallen short or failed. Although many of the reasons for failure can be attributed to lack of resources and trained manpower, the multiple visit requirements of cytology-based screening programs jeopardizes success and sustainability

Implementation of cervical cancer prevention services for HIV-infected women in Zambia: Measuring program effectiveness

Background: Cervical cancer kills more women in low-income nations than any other malignancy. A variety of research and demonstration efforts have proven the efficacy and effectiveness of low-cost cervical cancer prevention methods but none in routine program implementation settings of the developing world, particularly in HIV-infected women. Methods: In our public sector cervical cancer prevention program in Zambia, nurses conduct screening using visual inspection with acetic acid aided by digital cervicography. Women with visible lesions are offered same-visit cryotherapy or referred for histologic evaluation and clinical management. We analyzed clinical outcomes and modeled program effectiveness among HIV-infected women by estimating the total number of cervical cancer deaths prevented through screening and treatment. Results: Between 2006 and 2008, 6572 HIV-infected women were screened, 53.6% (3523) had visible lesions, 58.5% (2062) were eligible for cryotherapy and 41.5% (1461) were referred for histologic evaluation. A total of 75% (1095 out of 1462) of patients who were referred for evaluation complied. Pathology results from 65% (715 out of 1095) of women revealed benign abnormalities in 21% (151), cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) I in 30% (214), CIN 2/3 in 33% (235) and invasive cervical cancer in 16.1% (115, of which 69% were early stage). Using a conditional probability model, we estimated that our program prevented 142 cervical cancer deaths (high/low range: 238-96) among the 6572 HIV-infected women screened, or one cervical cancer death prevented per 46 (corresponding range: 28-68) HIV-infected women screened. Conclusion: Our prevention efforts using setting-appropriate human resources and technology have reduced morbidity and mortality from cervical cancer among HIV-infected women in Zambia. Financial support for implementing cervical cancer prevention programs integrated within HIV/AIDS care programs is warranted. Our prevention model can serve as the implementation platform for future low-cost HPV-based screening methods, and our results mayprovide the basis for comparison of programmatic effectiveness of future prevention efforts

Rising HIV-1 prevalence in STD clinic attenders in Jamaica: Traumatic sex and genital ulcers as risk factors

Between November 1990 and January 1991, status of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection was assessed for 522 men and 484 women attending the Comprehensive Health Centre in Kingston, Jamaica, for a new sexually transmitted disease (STD) complaint. Prevalence of HIV type 1 (HIV-1) infection was 3.1% (31 of 1,006), a tenfold rise in seroprevalence in 4.5 years. Nineteen of 517 (3.7%) heterosexual men, 3 of 5 (60%) homosexual/bisexual men, and 9 of 484 (1.9%) women were infected with HIV. In heterosexual men, factors associated with HIV infection after age adjustment included present complaint of genital ulcer [odds ratio (OR) 7.3; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.4-72], past history of genital ulcer (OR, 4.3; CI, 1.4-12), positive MHATP syphilis serology (OR, 3.4; CI, 1.1-10), sex with a prostitute in the past month (OR, 3.8; CI, 1.1-11). Three or more sex partners in the month prior to complaint (OR, 3.6; CI, 1.0-12), and bruising during sex (OR, 4.0; CI, 1.4-13). On multiple logistic regression analysis, independent associations with HIV infection were shown for bruising during sex (OR, 3.0; CI, 1.1-8.3), positive MHATP syphilis serology (OR, 3.2; CI, 1.1-9.5), and history of genital ulcer (OR, 2.9; CI, 1.0-8.0). Among women, history of "bad blood" (syphilis) (OR, 6.6; CI, 1.4-30), self-perception of high risk for acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) (OR, 8.6; CI, 0.9-108), positive gonorrhea culture (OR 12; CI 2.1-72), HTLV-1 seropositivity (OR, 5.7; CI, 0.9-29), history of stillbirth (OR, 7.6; CI, 1.3-43), and current abnormality of the cervix (OR, [infinity]; CI, 1.7-[infinity]) were associated with HIV infection. Conditions giving rise to a disruption of the genital epithelium in men such as bruising (trauma) with sex and genital ulcers may facilitate HIV transmission from women to men while inflammation of the cervix (e.g., gonorrhea) may facilitate male-to-female HIV transmissio

Risk factors for HTLV-1 among heterosexual STD clinic attenders

Summary: Human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-I) status was assessed in 994 patients attending a sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinic in Kingston, Jamaica, between November 1990 and January 1991 for a new STD complaint. Of 515 heterosexual men, 36 (7.0%) were HTLV-I seropositive, as were 38 (7.9%) of 479 women. HTLV-I seroprevalence increased with age in women. A history of blood transfusion was associated with HTLV-I in both sexes, significantly so in men [odds ratio (OR) 4.7, confidence interval (CI) 1.1-1.7 for men; OR 1.9, CI 0.6-5.0 for women]. Further analysis excluded all persons reporting a transfusion. On multiple logistic regression analysis, independent associations with HTLV-I infection in men were shown for marital status (OR 3.5, CI 1.2-1.0 for married/common law vs. single/visiting unions), agricultural occupation (OR 9.0, CI 2.0-41), bruising during sex (OR 2.9, CI 1.0-8.1),> 15 years at first sexual intercourse (OR 2.9, CI 1.0-8.2), and a positive test for hepatitis B surface antigen (OR 7.3, CI 1.2-52). In women, associations were shown for two or more sex partners in the 4 weeks prior to complaint (OR 4.9, CI 1.8-13), 11 or more lifetime sexual partners (OR 5.9, CI 1.3-27), aged <15 years at first sexual intercourse (OR 2.3, 1.0-5.4), bruising during sex (OR 2.7, CI 1.1-6.6), microhaemagglutination-Treponema pallidum positivity (OR 3.6, CI 1.6-8.4), and human immunodeficiency virus infection (OR 1.4, CI 2.1-9.2). STDs and bruising during sex may facilitate sexual trans-mission of HTLV-I, whereas sexual activity is a more important risk factor in women than men. Programs promoting safer sexual practices and controlling STDs may reduce HTLV-1 infection in Jamaica

Innovation in Evaluating the Impact of Integrated Service-Delivery: The Integra Indexes of HIV and Reproductive Health Integration

The body of knowledge on evaluating complex interventions for integrated healthcare lacks both common definitions of 'integrated service delivery' and standard measures of impact. Using multiple data sources in combination with statistical modelling the aim of this study is to develop a measure of HIV-reproductive health (HIV-RH) service integration that can be used to assess the degree of service integration, and the degree to which integration may have health benefits to clients, or reduce service costs. Data were drawn from the Integra Initiative's client flow (8,263 clients in Swaziland and 25,539 in Kenya) and costing tools implemented between 2008-2012 in 40 clinics providing RH services in Kenya and Swaziland. We used latent variable measurement models to derive dimensions of HIV-RH integration using these data, which quantified the extent and type of integration between HIV and RH services in Kenya and Swaziland. The modelling produced two clear and uncorrelated dimensions of integration at facility level leading to the development of two sub-indexes: a Structural Integration Index (integrated physical and human resource infrastructure) and a Functional Integration Index (integrated delivery of services to clients). The findings highlight the importance of multi-dimensional assessments of integration, suggesting that structural integration is not sufficient to achieve the integrated delivery of care to clients-i.e. "functional integration". These Indexes are an important methodological contribution for evaluating complex multi-service interventions. They help address the need to broaden traditional evaluations of integrated HIV-RH care through the incorporation of a functional integration measure, to avoid misleading conclusions on its 'impact' on health outcomes. This is particularly important for decision-makers seeking to promote integration in resource constrained environments