Screening for Cervical Cancer: Experience from a University Hospital in North Western Nigeria (2007‑2009)

Abstract

Background: Cervical cancer is the most common gynecological cancer among women in Nigeria. The incidence is on the increase and poses a public health problem. The etiological agent is the human papilloma virus that is sexual transmitted. The cervical cancer incidence is related to lifestyle, poverty and sexual practices. Fortunately, it is a preventable disease as it is preceded by a pre‑invasive phase that can be detected and treated. There is paucity of report in literature on cervical cancer screening in Sokoto North‑West Nigeria.

Aim: To determine the uptake, indications and results of cervical cancer screening in Usmanu Dan‑fodiyo University Teaching Hospital (UDUTH), Sokoto.

Materials and Methods: A 3‑year descriptive study of the results of cervical cytology among women who attended the gynaecological out‑patient clinic of UDUTH, Sokoto.

Results: During the period of study, 126 cervical smears were taken and 96% (121/126) of them were considered adequate for cytological evaluation thus constituting the subjects of the study. The average annual uptake of cervical smear was 1.29%. The main indications for cytologic smears were abnormal uterine bleeding 33.9% (41/121) and suspected carcinoma of the cervix 28.1% (34/121). Cytologic study was positive for dysplastic cells in 7% (25/121) of cases. Ten percent (12/121) of them were high grade squamous intra‑epithelial lesions while invasive carcinoma was seen in 3.3% (4/121) of the smears. 

Conclusion: Presence of abnormal cervical smear in 20% of the study subjects underscores the need for routine screening for cervical cancer. While organized national screening policy is awaited, opportunistic screening should be maximized.

Keywords: Cervical cancer, cervical cytology, north‑west Nigeria