Audit of cervical cytology in HIV-positive women

The National Health Service (NHS) cervical-screening programme has recently produced guidelines specifically for HIV-positive women. This includes annual cervical cytology screening and colposcopy to follow national guidelines. The case notes of all women attending Sheffield genitourinary clinic were audited. Of the 46 notes available, there was no documentation that annual screening has been offered in 26, and 10% of women did not have appropriate management of an abnormal smear. Information on the cytology form could result in a breach in confidentiality in cases where general practitioners are not aware of a patient's HIV status.