HIV and cervical cancer in Kenya

P. Gichangi, H. De Vuyst, B. Estambale, K. Rogo, J. Bwayo, M. Temmerman

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

43 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Objectives: To determine the effect of the HIV epidemic on invasive cervical cancer in Kenya. Methods: Of the 3902 women who were diagnosed with reproductive tract malignancies at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) from 1989 to 1998, 85% had invasive cervical cancer. Age at presentation and severity of cervical cancer were studied for a 9-year period when national HIV prevalence went from 5% to 5-10%, to 10-15%. Results: There was no significant change in either age at presentation or severity of cervical cancer. Of the 118 (5%) women who were tested for HIV, 36 (31%) were seropositive. These women were 5 years younger at presentation than HIV-negative women. Conclusions: A two- to three-fold increase in HIV prevalence in Kenya did not seem to have a proportional effect on the incidence of cervical cancer. Yet, HIV-positive women who presented with cervical cancer were significantly younger than HIV-negative women.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)55-63
Number of pages9
JournalInternational Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics
Volume76
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2002
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Cervical cancer
  • HIV
  • Kenya

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