Study of Papanicolaou (PAP) smear abnormalities, in HIV/AIDS women, on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), at a Tertiary care Hospital
Abstract
The aim of this study is to estimate the frequency of abnormal PAPANICOLAU (pap) smears and
mainly to detect precancerous & cancerous lesions as well as inflammatory lesions in HIV –infected
women. The study assess the prevalence of pap smear abnormalities in HIV/AIDS patients and reported
as per BETHESDA CERVICAL CYTOLOGY,2018. Gynecological conditions are extremely common
among women infected with Human immunodeficiency virus, PID, STD’s like Syphilis, Herpes,
Cytomegalovirus, Vulvovaginal Candidiasis etc. [Ref: 2]. Pap smear can be recommended as a part of
routine medical examination in Gynecological practice, as it is a simple, cost-effective, low risk
procedure. This was a prospective,hospital-based study, categorized as per BETHESDA system and
classify precancerous and cancerous lesions.