Background: Invasive cervical cancer (ICC) remains a major global health burden, especially in settings with high HIV prevalence. HIV infection increases susceptibility to persistent human papillomavirus infection and accelerates progression to cervical cancer. This study describes the prevalence of ICC by HIV status and age group among women screened in the Women’s Health Program (WHP) of the Cameroon Baptist Convention Health Services (CBCHS)
Methods: Secondary analysis of cervical cancer screening data was conducted, stratified by HIV status (HIV-positive, HIV-negative, and HIV-unknown) and age group (≤25 years, 26–30 years, and >30 years). The total number of women screened and number of ICC cases identified were analysed to determine ICC prevalence across groups.
Results: A total of 101,025 women were screened, of whom 1,264 were diagnosed with ICC. Overall ICC prevalence was highest among HIV-positive women (2.83%), followed by women with unknown HIV status (2.22%), and lowest among HIV-negative women (0.89%). Across all HIV status groups, women aged over 30 years had the highest ICC prevalence, with rates of 3.64% among HIV-positive women, 2.64% among women with unknown HIV status, and 1.23% among HIV-negative women. ICC prevalence among younger women was substantially lower but remained consistently higher in HIV-positive women compared to HIV-negative women. These findings demonstrate a clear gradient of increasing ICC burden associated with HIV infection and older age.
Conclusion: ICC prevalence is markedly higher among HIV-positive women, particularly in women aged over 30 years, compared to HIV-negative women. The elevated burden observed among women with unknown HIV status also suggests gaps in HIV testing and integrated care. These results underscore the importance of integrating routine cervical cancer screening into HIV care services, with targeted interventions for older women. Also, there is need to improve HIV case identification services in WHP clinics.