Profile of cervical cytology screening in a tertiary hospital in Nigeria: A ten year review

Abstract

Introduction: It is estimated that worldwide cervical cancer accounts for death of 231,000 women annually and over 80% of these are said to be in the developing countries. This sordid fact is observed in spite of the globally acknowledged effectiveness of cervical cancer screening methods in detecting and indeed eradicating the disease. Setting: National Hospital Abuja is a tertiary hospital located in the cosmopolitan city of Abuja, capital of Nigeria. It offers regular cervical conventional cytology screening services to Abuja metropolis and surrounding environment. Material and Method: A retrospective review of all cervical cytology samples received in the department of Histopathology of the NHA from 1st January 2004 to 31st December 2013. Slides were reviewed and diagnosis made according to the Bethesda 2001 classification of cervical cytology. Results are analyzed using simple Microsoft Excel 2011 statistical methods. Result: Of 5667 samples reviewed 14.8% (n=816) showed abnormal cellular changes. Approximately 49.4%, 24.4%, 20.7% and 5% of the abnormal smears constituted the LSIL, HSIL, ASCUS and invasive categories respectively. Majority of the women (72%) and most of the abnormal smears belong to the age group 30 to 49 years. Conclusion: Abnormal cervical smears are considerably high and age group 30 to 49 years are at increased risk. Intense and sustained cervical cancer screening programme needs to be embarked upon in Nigeria.