Association of sexual trauma and demographic characteristics with cervical cancer screening among women with HIV

Women with HIV (WWH) face increased risk for cervical cancer (CC) and sexual trauma. This cross-sectional analysis of the Florida Cohort Study (2019–2022) examined associations between any three lifetime sexual traumas (harassment, unwanted touch, or forced sex), demographics, and CC screening among 117 WWH aged 18+ without a hysterectomy. Participants self-reported lifetime experiences of three sexual traumas and CC screening within the past three years. Among 117 WWH, 19% reported no CC screening within the past three years, while 47% reported any lifetime sexual trauma. Any lifetime sexual trauma was not associated with CC screening. No CC screening within the past three years was reported more frequently among WWH who experienced any lifetime sexual trauma compared to those without (22% vs. 16%, p = 0.46); younger women (<30 years: 50% vs. 30−65 years: 15%, >65 years: 43%, p = 0.03); non-Black women (25% vs. Black: 13%, p = 0.09), and those with less than some college education (25% vs. some college or more: 10%, p = 0.05). Although sexual trauma associations were not statistically significant, trends suggest sexual trauma may influence CC screening behaviors. Demographic differences underscore the need for targeted interventions. Further research could explore strategies, like home-based HPV self-sampling, to enhance CC screening among WWH.Abbreviations: CC: cervical cancer; IRB: institutional review board; NIAAA: National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism; Pap: Papanicolaou; PWH: people with HIV; WWH: women with HIV; WWOH: women without HIV