Improving Adherence to Post-Cervical Biopsy Sexual Abstinence in Kenyan Female Sex Workers

PROBLEM:

Cervical biopsies offer a unique opportunity for studying local immune response. To investigate hormonally induced immune fluctuations in cervical tissues of Kenyan female sex workers, we improved biopsy sampling protocol safety. Here, we report on steps taken to minimize exposure to HIV following two cervical biopsies.

METHODS OF STUDY:

Women were asked to abstain from vaginal intercourse to limit HIV exposure during wound healing with financial compensation. A comprehension tool for informed consent, on-site detection of prostate-specific antigens indicating unprotected intercourse within 48 hr, and bi-weekly text message reminders were implemented.

RESULTS:

The implemented methods improved compliance with post-procedure abstinence by two times (P = 0.013). Fourteen days following a cervical biopsy, no sign of genital inflammation or change in HIV T-cell target proportion were observed.

CONCLUSIONS:

This study provides new tools for limiting HIV exposure in studies requiring biopsy sampling among women at risk of acquiring HIV.

Below:  Schematic representation of the study visits

Below:  PSA-semiquant cassette test serial dilutions to indicate PSA concentrations

Below:  Proportion of cervical HIV T-cell targets in HIV-uninfected and HIV-infected FSWs before and after biopsy sampling

Full article at:   http://goo.gl/tX6M5j

By: Lajoie J1,2,3, Boily-Larouche G1, Doering K1, Cheruiyot J4, Oyugi J1,3,4, Broliden K5, Kimani J1,3,4, Fowke KR1,2,3.

• 1Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada.
• 2Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada.
• 3Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya.
• 4Kenya AIDS Control Program, Nairobi, Kenya.
• 5Department of Medicine Solna, Center for Molecular Medicine, Clinic of Infectious Diseases, Karolinska University Hospital, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
• Am J Reprod Immunol. 2016 May 24. doi: 10.1111/aji.12520. 

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