ASPO Abstracts
Healthy behavioral choices and cancer screening in individuals living with HIV/AIDS are different by biological gender and years since HIV diagnosis
Category: Lifestyles Behavior, Energy Balance & Chemoprevention, Cancer Health Disparities
Conference Year: 2018
Abstract Body:
Purpose: This study investigated the prevalence of healthy behaviors and gender- specific cancer screening in a cohort of HIV infected individuals in Florida, by biological gender and time since HIV diagnosis. Methods: We included a total of 517 individuals with HIV from the Florida Cohort Study which recruits individuals through county health departments and community clinics. Data were obtained from the cohort baseline and follow up questionnaires, electronic medical records, and Enhanced HIV/AIDS Reporting System. The prevalence of cancer screening for individuals at the recommended age of screening (anal cancer, colorectal cancer, prostate cancer, breast cancer and cervical cancer) and healthy behaviors (sustaining healthy body mass index, smoking, alcohol use and physical activity) was described overall as well as by gender and years since HIV diagnosis (‰¤13 vs. >13 years). Prevalence across strata was compared using chi-square test. Results: In the analysis by gender, females were more likely to be obese than males (57% vs. 22%, p<0.0001). Among males, the prevalence of overweight/obesity was significantly higher in those who had been diagnosed with HIV for >13 years 67% vs. 48%, p=0.02). Among males, 66% reported never having an anal pap-smear, 39% reported never having colonoscopy, and 39% reported never having prostate cancer screening. Among females, 51% reported never having an anal pap-smear, 48% reported never having colonoscopy, 9% reported never having cervical pap smear and 14% reported never having mammograms. The difference in anal pap-smear screening in males and females was statistically significant (p<0.0001). Among males, the prevalence of never having colonoscopy was marginally higher in those who had HIV for ‰¤13 years (51% vs. 31%, p=0.05). Among females, the prevalence of never having mammogram was marginally higher among those who have had HIV for >13 years (19% vs. 9%, p=0.06). Conclusion: Prevalence of overweight/obesity differed by biological gender and by years since HIV diagnosis, and the prevalence of never having an anal pap-smear differed by biological gender. Long-term tailored gender-specific interventions can potentially benefit individuals living with HIV for prevention of chronic diseases, including cancer.
Keywords: cancer screening, healthy behaviors, HIV infected, disparities