Risk Factors for Cervical Precancer Lesions among Women Attending Cervical Cancer Screening Clinics in Harare, 2013

Background: Cervical cancer is the most common cancer in women in Zimbabwe. Preliminary analysis of the prevalence of precancer lesions of the cervix in Harare City revealed that the prevalence is around 7%. This is relatively high compared to those in the southern African region (3%). If the burden of the cervical cancer is to be reduced then risk factors for the precancer cervical lesions (precursor to cancer) for women in Harare have to be established. Methods: A total of 180 women who were attending Visual Inspection with Acetic acid and Cervicography (VIAC) clinics in Harare were enrolled in a case control study. A case was a woman 18 and above years with histologically confirmed cervical dysplasia. Data on demographic characteristics and risk factors for precancer lesions of the cervix were obtained with consent and these were then compared between the cases and controls. Results: The significant risk factors were having more than one sexual partner (OR=1.9; 1.21-3.72), being HIV positive (OR 8.4; 4.17-17.09), early sexual debut (