The role of co-infections on cervical intraepithelial neoplasia prevalence in western Kenya

Background Screening for co-infections with HIV, HSV-2 and Chlamydia trachomatis (CT ) among high-risk human papilloma virus (hr-HPV) positive women remains essential in alleviating high morbidity of cervical cancer (CC). The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) among women referred for CC screening at a referral hospital in Kisumu County, Kenya; and to establish the role of co-infection on CIN. Method In a cross-sectional study, we collected HPV, HIV, HSV-2 and CT data, cervical cytology results, and demographic information from 517 referrals. Blood samples were obtained for HIV and HSV-2 tests; urine for CT test and cervical swabs for hr-HPV test. Results The overall prevalence of CIN was 18.4% (95/517) with CIN1 observed in 56(29.6%), CIN2 in 27(`14.3%), CIN3 + in 12(6.3%) and normal biopsy in 94(49.7%) of the patients out of which high grade CIN2 and above (CIN2+) was 7.54% (39/517) equivalent to 32.5 per 100,000 women per year. HPV/HIV co-infection (infected vs. uninfected: OR 2.79; 95% CI 1.56–5.10, p < 0.001); HPV/HSV-2 co-infection (infected vs. uninfected: OR 2.41, 95% CI: 1.12–5.46, p < 0.024); HPV/CT co-infection (infected vs. uninfected: OR 3.83; 95% CI 1.84–8.51, p < 0.001) were found to be significantly associated with CIN. Conclusion Overall prevalence of CIN was high in the region although high-grade CIN2 + remained relatively lower as reported earlier. Age factor, widowhood and co-infections with HIV, HSV-2 or Chlamydia trachomatis were associated with increased risk of testing positive for CIN.