Women who are HIV positive are more at risk of human papilloma virus infection, making them vulnerable to cervical cancer.

Although a particular challenge in the African Region, given the high levels of HIV infection, this is also a screening opportunity, according to the World Health Organisation.

WHO's African Regional Director, Matshidiso Rebecca Moeti, highlighted that HIV screening and treatment services can be used as another opportunity to raise awareness about cervical cancer while offering screening and vaccination to women attending HIV services. 

She highlighted that the WHO is making good progress in integrating cervical cancer screening and treatment services into HIV programmes.

Moeti sighted Zambia as an example, which started the initiative in 2018. 

Around 235 women with HIV were screened in November 2020.

Namibia and all other African countries have been encouraged to follow suit.

She noted that HIV services are not the only programmes into which cervical cancer screening and treatment services can be integrated.

In 2023, WHO launched a three-year project to integrate breast and cervical cancer services into primary health care services in countries such as Cote d'Ivoire, Kenya, and Zimbabwe, targeting more than 3000 women.