THE PREVALENCE AND PATTERN OF ABNORMAL CERVICAL CYTOLOGY IN WOMEN ATTENDING VARIOUS CLINICS AT NNAMDI AZIKIWE UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL, NNEWI

Abstract

Aim
To determine the prevalence and pattern of cervical cytology among
women, who attended various Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Special
treatment clinics in Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital
(N.A.U.T.H.), Nnewi.
Methodology
This prospective study was conducted in the ante-natal, post natal,
gynaecology, family planning, and special treatment clinics of
N.A.U.T.H., Nnewi from June 2007 to December 2007 after ethical
approval was gotten from the hospital. The women were recruited
longitudinally after being adequately counselled and informed verbal
consent were obtained from the participating women. Semi – structured
questionnaire was used to assess information on their bio-data, sexual
attitude, risk factors, knowledge, and practice of cervical smear test. The
questionnaire was administered by the researcher. The smears were
collected by the Researcher and reported by Pathologist. 2001 Bethesda
system was used in reporting the cytology result.
Results
A total of 198 women were recruited into this study but 140 women
participated fully. Ninety six (68.6%) of the women had normal cervical
smears while forty one (29.3%) had abnormal cervical smears. The
abnormal smears were sub-classified as LSIL 25(17.9%), HSIL 12(8.6%),
ASC-US 3(2.1%) and glandular intraepithelial lesion 1 (0.7%). The peak
age range of prevalence of abnormal cervical smears was 40 – 44years.
Eighteen (12.9%) of the women were aware of cervical cancer screening
while 122 (87.1%) have never heard of cervical cancer screening test
before.
Conclusion
The knowledge of cervical cancer screening is very poor in the
Southeastern part of Nigeria while the prevalence of abnormal cervical
smear is high.
Recommendation
There is urgent need to commence effective and sustainable cervical
cancer prevention awareness campaign in this environment. There is also
the need to establish organized cervical cancer screening programme in
this environment.

THE PREVALENCE AND PATTERN OF ABNORMAL CERVICAL CYTOLOGY IN WOMEN ATTENDING VARIOUS CLINICS AT NNAMDI AZIKIWE UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL, NNEWI