Cervical Pattern on Visual Inspection With Aceto Acetic Acid in A Faith Based Population

Abstract

Aim: One of the commonest alternatives to Pap's smear is direct visualization of the cervix using Acetic acid. The investigators set out to evaluate cervical cancer screening using Visual inspection with Acetic acid in a Faith based organizational setting. Methods: The study was carried out at the premises of the headquarters of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Edo Province 1. Women were mobilized and had the VIA test in the church vestry done by trained nurses. The subjects with positive VIA results were referred to the University of Benin Teaching Hospital for further assessment, that is, Pap's smear and Colposcopy as indicated. Results: A total of 367 women had the VIA test of which 31 were positive, a detection rate of 8.4%. Seventeen (17) women came for further evaluation. Of the 17 patients that had Pap's smear 3patients had low grade squamous intra-epithelial lesions, this was confirmed at Colposcopy. The positive predictive value of VIA was 25%. However 14 women refused follow up making the non compliance rate 45% a Conclusion: This study has shown the indispensible role of the faith based organizations in screening programmes and the need for them to be incorporated into such programmes, particularly in areas where there is no structured screening programme. It also highlighted issues such as ignorance as evident by a non compliance rate of 45% and low level of man-power.

Key Words: Faith based setting, Cervical screening, VIA.