Incidence and predictors of premalignant cervical lesions among women in Jos University teaching hospital, Plateau state, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Premalignant cervical lesions are a potential precursor of cervical cancer, which can be identified through screening. Approximately 80% of cervical cancers occur in developing countries, where routine screening is rare. Aims: This study aimed to examine the incidence and risk factors of premalignant cervical lesions among women screened at Jos University teaching hospital (JUth) in 2009. Methods: A purposive sampling technique was used to select a sample size of all the women (1962) who were screened at JUth during January–December 2009. Data were retrieved with the help of the data manager of the cervical cancer screening unit. Descriptive and multiple regression analyses were done to determine risk factors. Findings: Of the 1962 subjects, 5.8% tested positive and 94.2% negative. The majority (82.5%) of those with premalignant cervical lesions had experienced sexually transmitted infections. Those using oral contraceptives had a higher rate (44.7%) of lesions than women using other forms of contraception. Women who had first sexual intercourse aged 10–15 years had a higher rate (41.2%) of lesions, as did those who had seven or more sexual partners (50.9%), or with seven or more children (43.9%). Conclusions: There was a fairly low incidence of positive screening results among the study population. Major risk factors included sexually transmitted infections, early age of first sexual intercourse, increased number of sexual partners, use of oral contraceptive pills and increased parity. The authors recommend a public health campaign on the benefits of cervical cancer screening in Plateau state and across nigeria.