Prevalence of Preinvasive Lesions of the Cervix in Maiduguri, North-Eastern Nigeria

Abstract

Cervical cancer is the leading cause of cancer related mortality in developing countries. The lack of routine cytological screening in developing countries is mainly responsible for this unacceptably high mortality. Early detection of pre-invasive disease has reduced mortality from invasive cancer in developed countries. The opportunistic screening services offered in most of the developing countries is unlikely to have a similar effect. To determine the prevalence of pre-invasive lesions of the cervix. A 15year review of Papanicolau smear for cervical cytology carried out from January 1993 to December 2007. Of the 2082 cervical cytology reports, 162 smears showed cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), thus giving 7.8% as the prevalence of CIN. Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 1 (CIN1) was seen in 87 (53.7%), CIN 11 in 56 (34.6%), and CIN 111 in 19 (11.7%). Invasive cervical cancer was suspected in 13 (0.6%) of the 2082 slides reviewed. One hundred and sixty six (7.9%) of the smears were unsatisfactory. The utilization of cervical cancer screening in Maiduguri is abysmally low. There is the need for increase awareness and utilization of Papanicolaou smear. Reasons for the low patronage need to be found so that appropriate measures are put in place to improve coverage.