Screening Outcomes and Associated Factors in a Follow-up Cervical Cancer Screening among Women Living with HIV, from 2019 to 2024: Evidence from Moshi Municipality

BackgroundCervical cancer screening is a critical public health intervention that facilitate the early detection and treatment of cervical precancerous lesions before they progress to invasive cancer. The effectiveness of this intervention largely depends on timely and consistent adherence to recommended follow-up screenings. However, in Tanzania, the screening outcomes in follow-up screenings among WLHIV and its associated factors remain poorly understood. ObjectiveTo determine the screening outcomes in a follow-up screening and its associated factors among WLHIV who have undertaken their first screening between 2019 and 2022 in Moshi Municipality. MethodologyThis was a retrospective cohort study. Data were analyzed using STATA version 18.0. Descriptive statistics were employed to determine the screening outcomes in a follow-up screening. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to estimate adjusted odds ratios and 95% CI for the factors associated with the screening outcomes. ResultsAmong 1,019 WLHIV who adhered to a follow-up screening, only 43(4.2%) were diagnosed with abnormal screening outcome. Majority, 38(88.4%) of those diagnosed with abnormal screening outcomes were also previously diagnosed with such screening outcomes during their first screening and received treatment. Moreover, WLHIV with abnormal screening outcomes in their first screening were significantly more likely to have abnormal screening outcome again during their follow-up screening compared to those who initially screened normal [AOR=12.51, 95%Cl: 8.92 - 37.64]. ConclusionAbnormal screening outcomes in a follow-up screening was low. Improvements in the providing treatment for cervical precancerous lesions after the diagnosis in the first screening is essential to further minimize the proportion of abnormal screening outcomes in follow-up visit