Risk factors for cervical dysplasia in AMINU kano Teaching Hospital

Abstract

Background: Cancer of the cervix remains the commonest cancer of the female genital tract in developing countries. Ironically, it is preventable by a well established screening program. A study of the risk factors will be needed in order to determine the group of women among whom cervical cancer screening should be further emphasized.Objective: To determine the risk factors of dysplasia among a cohort of women in Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano Nigeria. Method: A cohort study of 550 women, who attended the gynaecological clinic of Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, between January 2008 and December, 2010.Results: The period incidence for abnormal pap smears in this study was 11.6%. Age ≥ 35years and parity ≥ 5, age at coitarche, first marriage and first childbirth ≤ 18 years, multiple marriages, divorcees, low educational and socioeconomic statuses, family history of cervical cancer, previous history of excessive vaginal discharge, and Human Immunodeficiency Virus infection (HIV) /Autoimmune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) did confer some risk of dysplasia, while women in first order marriage, single, widows, use of hormonal contraception, intermenstrual vaginal bleeding, cigarette smoking, history of genital warts did not.Conclusion: These groups of high risk women should be encouraged to have mandatory cervical cancer screening 3 years after coitarche.