The need to incorporate routine cervical cancer counselling and screening in the management of HIV positive women in Nigeria.

OBJECTIVE The study aimed to assess the awareness and utilization of the Pap smear among HIV positive women in Lagos, Nigeria. MATERIALS AND METHODS A descriptive cross sectional survey of women attending the anti-retroviral clinic of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, Lagos State, Nigeria was carried out between 1st September and 30th November 2009 using a pre-tested questionnaire. Data were analysed using the Epi-info 3.5 statistical software of the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta USA. RESULTS None of the 300 respondents reported having received any form of counselling about cervical cancer and screening during the post HIV test counseling. Seventy six (25.3%) of them had heard of cervical cancer; Forty eight (16%) were aware of the Pap smear and only 15 (31.3%) of these (5% of the total number of respondents) have ever done the test before. The majority (69.7%) of those who had not been screened despite knowledge of the Pap smear, gave non- recommendation by their doctor as the main reason for not doing the test. CONCLUSION Cervical cancer counseling and screening is not part of the routine management of HIV positive women in Lagos, Nigeria. There is need to address this deficiency with appropriate guidelines.