Cervical cancer prevention in Kenya : special considerations for HIV-infected women
Document type: mthesis
Download file(s):
192335 (911 KB)
Abstract:
Cervical cancer (CC) is a preventable disease yet it is the leading cause of cancer-related morbidity and mortality among Kenyan women with over 2625 cases and 2111 deaths annually. HIV increases the risk of CC. In Kenya, over 840,000 women are infected with HIV but current estimates of CC in HIV-infected women are unknown. Human papillomavirus (HPV), a sexually transmitted infection is the necessary but insufficient cause of CC. Multiple sex partners and early sexual debut are main risk factors for HPV infection. Key cofactors for CC in Kenya include coinfection with HIV and herpes simplex-2, infection with high-risk and multiple HPV types, smoking, polygamy, poverty and illiteracy among women and an inadequate health system. Sexual behaviour such as multiple partners common to both HIV and HPV transmission and associated HIV-induced immunosuppression make HIV-infected women susceptible to CC. CC can be reduced through health education, sexual risk reduction, male circumcision, HPV vaccines and through screening and treatment of precancers. Low cost methods using visual inspection with acetic acid for screening and cryotherapy for treatment of pre-cancers are recommended for Kenya. These screening and treatment methods are equally effective in HIV-infected women but frequent screening is recommended for this population. Lack an organized screening program, inadequate financial and human resources, inadequate health infrastructure, low awareness of CC and sociocultural beliefs are barriers to CC prevention in Kenya. An affordable CC prevention program is required for HIV-infected and uninfected women in Kenya with emphasis on more frequent follow-up for HIV-infected women.
Authors:
Ochodo, E.A.
Country:
Kenya
Category:
Research
Department:
Development Policy & Practice
Institute:
KIT (Royal Tropical Institute)
Keywords:
disease prevention and control
,
health
,
HIV and AIDS
,
women
Language:
eng
Organization:
KIT - Royal Tropical Institute
PAGE:
ix, 60
Year:
2010
Region:
East Africa
Right:
© 2010 Ochodo
Subject:
Health and Nutrition
Title:
Cervical cancer prevention in Kenya : special considerations for HIV-infected women
Training:
Master in International Health (MIH)