Squamous cell cervical lesions in women with and without AIDS: Biochemical risk factors, prevention, and policy

Worldwide, squamous cell cervical cancer and intraepithelial lesions (SIL) are a major source of morbidity and mortality. Compared to women in general, women with human immunodeficiency syndromes (HIV) are at higher risk of developing SIL. With the HIV epidemic escalating among women, prevalence, morbidity, and mortality related to SIL are likely to increase unless adequate prevention and detection programs are mounted. Consequently, this article provides background information for the design of such programs, focusing on selected biochemical risk factors and natural history of SIL in women infected with HIV (HIV+) and women in general (HIV-). Current screening policies are described, and implications for nursing research and policy are discussed.