Prevalence of precancerous cervical lesions and its associated factors among women screened for cervical cancer in rural area at Chengelpet district

Abstract

Cervical cancer becomes the major health challenges and leading cause of death among women in developing countries, though it is a preventable condition. Routine cervical cancer screening helps to prevent the premalignant cervical lesion and thereby reduce morbidity and decrease the death rate.  The objective of our study is to identify the risk factor associated with precancerous cervical lesion among women screened for cervical cancer.

Methods:  A cross sectional study carried out in the community area attached to Annai Veilankanni’s College of Nursing and Annai Veilankanni’s Hospital. The cervical cancer screeningand awareness campaign were organised. The Camp was visited by the team of Physician, Surgeon, Gynaecologist and Nurses from Annai Veilankanni’s Hospital, Chennai.  Data was collected through structured questionnaires and cervical cancer screening( VIA, PAP smear and HPV DNA test).  A total of 283 females attended this camp. Of this 250 women’s were included in the study.  Women who had atleast one complaint regarding reproductive tract were screened for cervical cancer by HPV DNA Test, PAP smear followed by VIA after obtained informed consent.  The cytological diagnosis was confirmed by a pathologist for HPV DNA test and pap smears, Whereas VIA Positive was confirmed if any changes in SCJ (ie., transformation Zone)

Results: Out of the total 250 screened women, 8.5% were found to be positive for precancerous cervical lesion.Irregular menstrual cycle, History of unusual bleeding, presence of leucorrhoea was found to be significantly associated with precancerous cervical cancer at p-value less than 0.01.