PRECANCEROUS LESIONS OF THE CERVIX AND ITS ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG WOMEN ATTENDING CERVICAL CANCER SCREENING SERVICE IN PRIMARY AND REFERRAL HOSPITALS IN EAST GOJJAM ZONE, NORTHWEST ETHIOPIA

Abstract

ABSTRACT Introduction: Cervical cancer is the commonest cancer of women’s reproductive system, which is caused by a progression of precancerous lesions of cervix. Studies were done on the prevalence and associated factors of precancerous lesions of the cervix are found to be very limited in Ethiopia, particularly in the study area. Objective: The main aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of precancerous lesions of the cervix and its associated factors among women attending cervical cancer screening services in primary and referral hospitals of East Gojjam Zone, Northwest Ethiopia, 2020 G.C. Methods: Facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted in selected hospitals from February to April 2020 G.C. The sample size was 340. The collected data were checked for its completeness, coded, and entered into using Epi-Data version 4.6 and then exported to Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 26 for analysis. Descriptive analysis was done and a multivariable logistic regression model was employed to identify predictors of the precancerous cervical lesion. A P-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Out of 340 recruited women, 15.3% of them had precancerous cervical lesion. The mean age of the respondents was 37.11 ± 9.3 years. Women with the age group of 46-55 years (AOR [95%CI] =3.8 [1.21-12.47]) and 56- 65 years (AOR [95%CI] =12.26 [3.18-47.18]), being rural dwellers (AOR ([95%CI] =2.04 [1.12-3.7]), prolonged use of oral contraceptive pills (AOR [95%CI] = 9.11 [1.14-72.8]), history of sexual transmitted infection (STI) (AOR [95% CI]) = 3.40 [1.32-8.78]), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive (AOR [95% CI]) = 4.89 [1.54- 15.49]) and multiple life time sexual partner (AOR [95% CI]) = 9.87 [1.38-70.4]) were important factors associated with precancerous lesion of cervix. Conclusion: This study showed a relatively high prevalence of precancerous cervical lesions. Age of women, rural residence, prolonged usage of oral contraceptives, STI, multiple sexual partners, and being HIV positive were important factors associated with the precancerous cervical lesion. Women above the age of 46 years, with a history of STI, being HIV infected, and having a history of multiple sexual partners shall be encouraged to be screened for cervical cancer. Keywords: Visual inspection after acetic acid, precancerous lesions of cervix, cervical cancer, East Gojam Zon