Cervical Abnormalities Detected via Pap smear in HIV-Seropositive Women: A Cross-Sectional Analysis

Abstract

Background:Women with HIV face a notably higher chance of developing cervical dysplasia than 
those who are HIV-negative. The occurrence of dysplasia linked to HPV increases as immune
function declines. This research looks into the abnormalities identified through Pap smears and 
explores associated high-risk behaviors in women with and without HIV. 
Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study took place in a tertiary hospital in India. The 
research involved all HIV-positive women attending the clinic during this period who met the study's 
criteria. Pap smears were obtained from the exocervix and endocervix of all participants and were 
analyzed and reported according to the Bethesda system. Data analysis was conducted using 
Microsoft Excel and SPSS version 19.