Vulnerability of women with human immunodeficiency virus to cervical cancer

Abstract

Objective: To identify the vulnerabilities of women with human immunodeficiency virus to cervical cancer. Methods: Cross-sectional study carried out in a clinic with 152 adult women with HIV, by means of the application of a structured form comprising several types of vulnerability. Results: Related to individual vulnerability, were prevalent the age above 29 years (87.5%), education higher than eight years of study (53.3%) and family income lower than two minimum wages (94.1%). The majority reported active sexual life (81.6%) and non-use of condoms (57.2%). Regarding the social vulnerability, 56.6% were unemployed. About programmatic vulnerability, 44.0% of women underwent a prevention exam in a period of more than one year. Women with more schooling (p = 0.007), employed (p = 0.000) and that did not use illicit drugs (p = 0.000) underwent the preventive exam in proper frequency. Conclusion: In this study, were identified individual, social and programmatic vulnerabilities for cervical cancer in women with HIV.