In Uganda cancer of the cervix is the leading gynaecological neoplasm and approximately 70-80% of the women present with advanced stages. Developed countries have reduced the prevalence of it to 20% using Papanicolaou (PAP) method. The objective of this study was to screen reproductive age women for cervical cancer using Pap method in the selected districts of Uganda. This was a cross sectional survey study. Cervical smears from (n=1010) urban and rural women were taken to Department of Pathology, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University for histopahological analysis. District health centers were conveniently selected and paramedical health staff were purposively identified and trained on Pap screening. Women participants were consecutively recruited. Eighty seven percent (n=878) Pap smears were normal, mild dysplasia (7%), moderate dysplasia (4.5%), severe dysplasia (1.3%), invasive cancer (0.04%). Thirteen percent (13.7%) had candidiasis, non specific cervicitis/nonspecific inflammation (5.4%), trichomonas vaginalis (2.3%), Papilloma virus infection (1.1%), bacterial vaginosis (10.2%) and ascus (3.8%). It was concluded that cervical cancer lesions and cervical associated diseases are detectable among reproductive women in our communities using PAP method. Screening services should be established in the districts of Uganda.
You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.