Males Have Lower Anal Pap Smear Screening in a Miami Safety-Net HIV Clinic

Background: Although people with HIV have a markedly higher risk of anal squamous cell carcinoma (ASCC), there are few evaluations of anal Pap screening determinants within safety-net HIV clinics.

Method: We conducted an evaluation of anal Pap screening correlates within a safety-net HIV clinic in Miami. Medical records were reviewed for 298 people ages 45 and older receiving HIV primary care. Demographic information and the prevalence of anal Pap screening over 1 year (i.e., 2018-2019) were extracted.

Results: Between 2018 and 2019, approximately half (46%) of patients completed anal Pap screening although this varied by sex assigned at birth. More than three-fourths of females (77%) compared to one-fourth (23%) of males were screened between 2018 and 2019 (p < 0.0001).

Conclusion: Findings underscore the need for multi-level intervention approaches to optimize anal Pap screening among males with HIV within the Miami-based safety-net clinic.