Proportions of Pre-Cancerous Cervical Lesions and Its Associated Factors among Women Clients in the Age Group of 30-49yrs in Gynecology Ward of Dessie Referral Hospital and FGAE, North-East Ethiopia, 2016

Introduction: Globally, cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in women; in 2008 there were an estimated 530,000 new cases and more than 270,000 women die from it [1]. In Ethiopia, cervical cancer is the second most common cancer following breast cancer and the leading cause of death from cancer. Annually, an estimated number of 4648 women develop the cancer and 3,235 die from it. Low-resource countries experience 85% of the global burden and in regions such as Eastern Africa and South-Central Asia. Low perception of risks and lack of awareness about cervical cancer screening amongst women and challenges of access to cervical cancer screening for early detection of disease have been reported amongst factors responsible for increasing incidence and mortality due to cervical cancer in developing countries [2].

Objective: The general objective of this study was to determine the proportions of cervical precancerous lesions and to assess associated factors among women clients (30-49) in Gynecology OPD of Dessie referral hospital and FGAE, 2016.

Methods: An institution based cross-sectional study design involving quantitative method was employed. For the quantitative survey 422 women in the age group of 30-49 were participated. The sample size was computed by using single population proportion formula for finite population with 95% confidence level, prevalence of 50% and marginal error of 2%. Pretested and structured questionnaire was used in order to facilitate reliable response. Questionnaires for each item were adapted from previously done similar studies. Pretest was done on five percent of study population.

Results: Among 422 study participants who were currently screened, 390(92.4%) were negative for cervical precancerous lesions when tested by visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA), 29(6.9%) were positive for cervical precancerous lesions and 3(0.7%) were suspicious for cancer. The majority (69.9%) of the study subjects did not ever screen for cervical cancer in their life time. Concerning the reasons for not screening, 98(33.3%) of them said that it is painful while 54(18.3%) and 37(12.5%) of them said I am health and it is expensive respectively.

Conclusion: The proportion of cervical precancerous lesion was 6.9%. In multivariate regression analysis increased age(>46), high parity(>4), first intercourse at <20 years, having > two sexual partners, positive HIV status, History of Human papilloma virus (HPV) infection, History of sexually transmitted infection (STI), Smoking, History of abortion, nonuse of condom and family history of cervical cancer were significantly associated with the development of cervical precancerous lesions.