Prevalence of epithelial abnormalities in cervicovaginal PAP test among Anganwadi workers in Bengaluru

Abstract

Background Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable and curable forms of cancer as long as it is detected early and managed effectively. Every minute one woman is diagnosed with cervical cancer. Cervico-vaginal PAP testCVPTevery 3-5 years linked with timely treatment of pre-cancerous lesions can reduce the disease burden.Objective The objective of the study is to assess the prevalence of epithelial abnormalities in Cervico-vaginal PAP testand to screen for cancerous and precancerous lesions among Anganwadi workers in Bengaluru. Methodology A cross-sectional study conducted among 196 Anganwadi teachers in Bengaluru Urban. Using universal sampling technique all the Anganwadi workers who were present on the day were included for screening. After giving mass awareness and obtaining consent from the participants PAP smear was taken to screen for epithelial abnormalities cancerous and pre-cancerous lesions. Results Mean age of the screened women was 39.1 years SD 9.609. All the women were married. Majority of them had regular cycles 185 94.3 with the mean age of menarche being 14.1 years SD 1.96. Out of 147 PAP smears excluding refusals inadequate smear and hysterectomy about 61 41.4 were normal 80 54.4 had inflammatory smearsinfections. ASCUS in 4 2.8 smears and 1 0.6 in each of ASGUS and HSIL.Conclusion Cervico-vaginal PAP test is easy non-invasive useful simple safe and very economical tool to screen women for pre-invasive cervical epithelial lesions and other epithelial abnormalities.