The study is implemented by International Centre for Reproductive Health – Kenya (ICRHK) with funding from Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek (FWO), Belgium, in Mombasa County.

The study objectives are to:

• Assess the prevalence of low- and high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSIL and HSIL) among HIV-infected women, both on antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and not yet eligible for HAART.
• Evaluate the progression of LSIL in women at different stages of AIDS, with or without HAART.
• Examine the effect of HIV and HPV (types, viral shedding, and HPV DNA integration) on the regression, persistence, and progression of squamous intraepithelial lesions (SIL).
• Determine the influence of HAART on the regression, persistence, and progression of SIL.
• Assess the impact of treatment interventions (cryotherapy or LEEP) on HIV shedding, HPV shedding, and HPV DNA integration.

Impact
The study provided critical evidence on the interaction between HIV, HPV, and cervical lesions, highlighting how HAART and treatment interventions affect disease progression and viral shedding. These findings contributed to improved understanding of cervical cancer risk among HIV-infected women and informed strategies for screening, prevention, and treatment in resource-limited settings.