PREVALENCE OF CERVICAL INTRAEPITHELIAL LESIONS AMONG WOMEN ATTENDING GYNAECOLOGICAL CLINIC AT UBTH

Abstract

Cervical cancer despite being largely preventable, is still the leading cause of
gyneacological cancer related death among females in developing countries. Population
based cervical cytologic screening and early treatment of cervical cancer precursor
lesions in a population with high level of awareness about cervical cancer and its
screening reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with cervical cancer.
The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of cervical
intraepithelial lesion and the factors influencing various patterns among women
attending gyneacological clinic at UBTH.
This was a prospective study involving four hundred and eighty five women
consecutively selected among the women attending gynaecological clinic at UBTH,
within the study period. The main outcome measure was increased proportion of women
with Pap smear screening and cervical cancer awareness.
The prevalence of cervical intraepithelial lesion in this study was 20.6%. A total
of 216 (44.9%) of the women were aware of cervical cancer and only 32.4% were aware
of cervical cancer screening while only 13.5% ever had at least a Pap smear testing
Premalignant cervical lesion was significantly higher among women 30 years and
older and lower socioeconomic class with a significant linear trend in each of these
groups.
High parity especially vaginal delivery, cigarette smoking and having had a
previous Pap testing were each associated with increased risk of abnormal Pap smear.
Previous contraceptive use especially intrauterine contraceptive device (IUCD)
was associated with increased risk of cervical intraepithelial lesion. Condom offered
some protection.
First marriage before 20 years of age and lifetime partners in excess of four were
associated with increased risk of abnormal Pap smear.
Age at coitarche, age at first pregnancy, spouse smoking, type of gynaecological
condition, cervical cancer and cervical cancer screening awareness did not significantly
influence the pattern of Pap smear among the women.

PREVALENCE OF CERVICAL INTRAEPITHELIAL LESIONS AMONG WOMEN ATTENDING GYNAECOLOGICAL CLINIC AT UBTH