Cervical cancer screening in former sex workers in ex-localization area.

Despite the lack of commercial sex activities as the localization has been shut down since 2014, former commercial sex workers (CSW) could be at risk for cervical cancer. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the prevalence of cervical cancer using early detection with Papanicolaou (Pap) smears in former CSW in this ex-localization area. This study was conducted with purposive sampling intended to be limited to former CSW and women who still live around this ex-localization area as a control group. This study included 76 women, 52.6% of whom were former CSW. Pap smear results showed no pre-cancerous lesions of the cervix in any of the participants. Comparisons between the CSW and control groups showed no differences in Pap smear results. Infection findings were found in 36.1% of CSW group. Early detection of human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA is necessary for identifying risk factors for cervical cancer in these populations.