Sexual Violence, Genital Cytokines, and Colposcopy Findings: A Cross-Sectional Study of Women Engaged in Sex Work in Mombasa, Kenya.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Sexual violence (SV) increases human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) susceptibility in a sustained manner. This study evaluated genital cytokines and colposcopy findings in women reporting both recent and more remote SV.

Methods

A cross-sectional study of HIV-1 negative Kenyan women who engage in sex work was performed. Cervicovaginal fluid was collected by menstrual cup and cytokines (IFNγ, TNFα, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, MIP-1α, MIP-1β, and CXCL10) measured using chemiluminescence. Cervical injury was assessed by colposcopy. Associations between recent (≤30 days prior), more remote (>30 days prior), and no (reference category) SV exposure and cytokine concentrations were evaluated using linear regression.

Results

Among 282 participants, 25 (8.9%) reported recent S

SUBMITTER: Kwendakwema CN 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11631680 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature