DNP alum Ralph Mangusan and Les Harmon recently published an article entitled "Integration of Anal Dysplasia Screening into the Primary Care of Persons Living with HIV" in the Journal of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care (JANAC). Co-authors include Todd Wallenius, Warren Parker, Julie Thompson and Jennifer Abbott.

Abstract

Anal dysplasia can lead to anal cancer, which affects persons living with HIV(PLWH) more than people in the general population. Screening for anal dysplasia is recommended to detect anal cancer at an early stage. The aim of our process improvement project was to improve compliance and consistency in implementing anal dysplasia screening for PLWH receiving care at a Ryan White facility covering 18 counties in western North Carolina. There were 291 PLWH screened for anal dysplasia during the 9-month data-gathering period. The compliance rate significantly increased from a preintervention rate of 31.3% to 57.5% (p < .001). There were 109 (37.5%) abnormal screening results. PLWH who had abnormal screening results were more likely to be White. Gender and age were not significantly associated with abnormal screening results. Anal dysplasia screening is a simple procedure to detect precursors to cancer that can be integrated into the primary care of PLWH.