Human papillomavirus infection in human immunodeficiency virus-positive Taiwanese women incarcerated for illicit drug usage

Association of opium use and tobacco smoking with α-, β-, and γ-human papillomavirus oral infection

Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs) are linked to tobacco smoking, opium use, and human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. However, little is known about the association of HPV infection with risk factors of HNSCCs, including opium and tobacco use. This cross-sectional analysis of a national multi-center case-control study in Iran included 498 HNSCC cases and 242 controls. We investigated the association of opium and tobacco use with α- (n = 21), β- (n = 46), and γ-HPV (n = 52) types in saliva samples using type-specific bead-based multiplex genotyping assays (TS-MPG). We found that α-HPV positivity was significantly associated with tobacco smoking (OR = 10.35; 95% CI = 1.15, 93; p = .03), but not with opium use (OR = 1.06; 95% CI = 0.41, 2.76; p = .89). Additionally, tobacco smoking correlated with an elevated risk of β-species 2 HPV infection (OR = 1.28; 95% CI = 1.04, 1.58; p = .020). Conversely, opium use showed a positive association with γ-species 12 HPV infection (OR = 5.67; 95% CI = 1.43, 22.44; p = .013). These findings indicate that tobacco and opium use may influence the risk of HPV infection in different ways depending on the HPV genus and species. Further studies are needed to replicate these findings in other populations.

Determining the prevalence of high-risk human papillomavirus infection using a novel cervical precancer screening approach in incarcerated women at the Nsawam Medium Security Prison, Ghana

Background

Across Ghana, females comprise 1.2% of the entire prison population (n = 15,463). Cervical cancer screening services are however nonexistent and the prevalence of high-risk human papillomavirus (hr-HPV) and cervical precancer is undocumented. We aimed to screen and treat inmates for cervical precancer and determine the prevalence of hr-HPV using the novel AmpFire HPV detection system combined with colposcopy by trained nurses using a mobile colposcope (the Enhanced Visual Assessment (EVA) system).

Methods

A descriptive cross-sectional study design was employed, involving all incarcerated women at the Nsawam Medium Security Prison, Ghana. After counselling and informed consent, women underwent a structured questionnaire-based interview entered into a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet. Women were co-tested for cervical pre-cancer and hr-HPV by two trained nurses using dry brush cervical samples for 15 hr-HPV types (AmpFire HPV test) after which mobile colposcopy with the EVA system was performed. EVA images were reviewed by a gynaecologist. Frequencies and percentages were used to describe categorical data, while means, standard deviations, medians and interquartile ranges (IQRs) were used to describe continuous data.

Results

75% of the women were convicts with a median sentence of 5 years (IQR: 2-10 years). Their mean age was 41.1 years (standard deviation: 15.5 years, range: 19-97 years). The self-reported prevalence rate of HIV was 13.1% (95% confidence interval (CI): 7.5%-21.9%), all of whom were receiving treatment. The hr-HPV prevalence rate was 47.6% (CI: 36.9%-58.3%) in the general population of imprisoned women and 63.6% (CI: 35.4%-84.8%) among HIV positive women. Six percent (6%) had lesions on the cervix, of which 3.6% were treated with thermal coagulation and 2.4% were treated with loop electrosurgical excision procedure. The average age of hr-HPV positive women was 37.8 years.

Conclusions

There is a high prevalence of hr-HPV infection among women in custody at the Nsawam Medium Security Prison. These women will benefit from structured cervical cancer prevention services, including treatment for abnormalities that are picked up during such screening.

Prevalence of human papillomavirus infection, cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and cervical cancer in imprisoned women worldwide: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background and objectives

Imprisoned women have higher rates of abnormalities at cervical screening and some studies suggest that cervical cancer is the most common cancer in this population. The aim of this work was to summarise the current evidence on the prevalence of human papilloma virus (HPV) infection, cervical cancer and precancerous lesions in women in prison worldwide and to compare these rates with the general population.

Methods

We systematically searched and reviewed published and unpublished data reporting the prevalence of any HPV infection, cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) and cervical cancer in imprisoned women. We created forest plots with prevalence estimates from studies with comparable outcomes and of prevalence ratios using data from national screening programmes as a comparison group.

Findings

A total of 53 533 imprisoned women from 10 countries and 35 studies were included in the review. The prevalence of HPV among prisoners ranged from 10.5% to 55.4% with significant heterogeneity. The prevalence of CIN diagnosed by cytology in prisoners ranged from 0% to 22%. Ratios comparing the prevalence of CIN in imprisoned women to that in the community ranged from 1.13 to 5.46. Cancer prevalence estimates were at least 100 times higher than in populations participating in national screening programmes.

Conclusion

Imprisoned women are at higher risk of cervical cancer than the general population. There is a high prevalence of HPV infection and precancerous lesions in this population. Targeted programmes for control of risk factors and the development of more effective cervical screening programmes are recommended.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42014009690.

Prevalence and risk factors for oral human papillomavirus infection in Mexican HIV-infected men

OBJECTIVE

To determine the prevalence and risk factors for oral high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) infec- tion in human immunodeficiency virus(HIV)-infected men.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Consecutive male outpatients with HIV-infection were enrolled. Demographic and behav- ioral risk data were obtained. Anal swabs and oral rinses were tested for HR-HPV DNA. Oral, pharyngeal and video laryngoscopy examinations were performed for detection of lesions.

RESULTS

The prevalence of HR-HPV oral infection was 9.3% (subtypes other than HR HPV 16/18 predominated). The prevalence of anal HR-HPV infection was 75.7%. The risk factors for oral infection with HR-HPV were tonsillectomy (OR=13.12) and years from HIV diagnosis (OR=1.17).

CONCLUSIONS

Tonsillectomy and years from HIV diagnosis were associated with oral HPV infection. No association was found between oral and anal HR-HPV infections. This is the first study reporting the prevalence and risk factors for oral HR-HPV infection in Mexican HIV-infected population.

Cervical Cancer Screening Access, Outcomes, and Prevalence of Dysplasia in Correctional Facilities: A Systematic Review

Background: Incarcerated women often access health care primarily through contact with correctional systems. Cervical cancer screening within the correctional system can address the preventable outcome of cervical dysplasia and cancer in this high-risk population. Materials and Methods: A search of PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, and ClinicalTrials.gov was conducted for articles published between January, 1966 and December, 2018. All studies on a population of jailed or incarcerated females and at least one of the following outcomes: cervical cancer or dysplasia, pap smear screening, knowledge about screening, treatment of cervical dysplasia, and compliance with follow-up were analyzed. Results: Forty-two studies met inclusion criteria. All 21 studies with prevalence outcomes described a higher prevalence of cervical dysplasia and cancer in the women involved with corrections, compared to a variety of different sources that served as community control groups. The data on screening outcomes were inconsistent. Follow-up compliance for abnormal results was poor, with a study finding that only 21% of women were rescreened within 6 months of the recommended time period. Knowledge about cervical cancer and screening was evaluated in eight studies and was poor across all studies. Conclusion: Women involved in correctional systems have a higher prevalence of cervical dysplasia and cancer than women in the general population. Acceptance of screening varies, and no published interventions have been shown to improve screening within the prison system. Treatment and compliance with follow-up recommendations are extremely poor and should be a focus of future research.

Vaccinations in prisons: A shot in the arm for community health

From the first day of imprisonment, prisoners are exposed to and expose other prisoners to various communicable diseases, many of which are vaccine-preventable. The risk of acquiring these diseases during the prison sentence exceeds that of the general population. This excess risk may be explained by various causes; some due to the structural and logistical problems of prisons and others to habitual or acquired behaviors during imprisonment. Prison is, for many inmates, an opportunity to access health care, and is therefore an ideal opportunity to update adult vaccination schedules. The traditional idea that prisons are intended to ensure public safety should be complemented by the contribution they can make in improving community health, providing a more comprehensive vision of safety that includes public health.