%0 Journal Article
%T Self-reported history of Pap-smear in HIV-positive women in Northern Italy: a cross-sectional study
%A Luigino Dal Maso
%A Silvia Franceschi
%A Mauro Lise
%A Priscilla de' Bianchi
%A Jerry Polesel
%A Florio Ghinelli
%A Fabio Falcini
%A Alba C Finarelli
%A the Screening of HIV-positive women in Emilia-Romagna (SHER) Study
%J BMC Cancer
%D 2010
%I BioMed Central
%R 10.1186/1471-2407-10-310
%X A cross-sectional study was conducted between July 2006 and June 2007 in Emilia-Romagna region (Northern Italy). All HIV-positive women who received a follow-up visit in one of the 10 regional infectivology units were invited to participate. History of Pap-smear, including abnormal smears and subsequent treatment, was investigated through a self-administered anonymous questionnaire. The association between lack of Pap-smear in the year preceding the interview and selected characteristics was assessed by means of odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals adjusted for study centre and age.A total of 1,002 HIV-positive women were interviewed. Nine percent reported no history of Pap-smear, and 39% had no Pap-smear in the year prior to the date of questionnaire (last year). The lack of Pap-smear in the last year was significantly associated with age <35 years (OR = 1.4, compared to age ¡Ý45 years), lower education level (OR = 1.3), first HIV-positive test in the last 2 years (OR = 1.4), and CD4 count <200 cells/¦Ìl (OR = 1.6). Conversely, when women were advised by a gynecologist rather than other health workers to undergo screening, it significantly increased adherence. Non-significantly higher proportions of lack of Pap-smear in the last year were found in women born in Central-Eastern Europe (OR = 1.8) and Africa (OR = 1.3). No difference in history of Pap-smear emerged by mode of HIV-acquisition or AIDS status.Three hundred five (34%) women reported a previous abnormal Pap-smear, and of the 178 (58%) referred for treatment, 97% complied.In recent years the self-reported history of Pap-smear in HIV-positive women, in some public clinics in Italy, is higher than previously reported, but further efforts are required to make sure cervical cancer screening is accessible to all HIV-positive women.The incidence of invasive cervical cancer in HIV-positive women is higher than in the general population [1]. This elevated incidence varies from country to country depending on
%U http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2407/10/310