Cervical epithelial changes in a tertiary hospital in northern Nigeria

Introduction: Cervical cancer is the commonest gynaecological malignancy in Nigeria, accounting for most deaths from cancers in women. Screening remains one of the best ways to prevent this catastrophe.Methodology: This was a cross sectional study conducted among patients that presented for cervical cancer screening at the Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos, Plateau State, North Central Nigeria over a Five-year period (1st August, 2006-31st July, 2011). Data was analyzed for frequencies using EPI Info 3.5.1, CDC, Atlanta, USA.Results: During the period of study (74.5%) of the 7863 women screened were normal. Inflammatory changes, LSIL and HSIL, were the commonest abnormalities. Eight point four percent (8.4.%) were either ASC-US or ASC-H, 35 (0.4%) were AGUS or AGUS-N. LSIL and HSIL were 547 (7.0%) and 193 (2.4%) respectively. One thousand, six hundred and seventy two (21.2%) were inflammation changes, bacterial infection, or trichomoniasis. Thirty two (0.4%) cases of suspected invasive carcinoma were seen.Conclusion: The abnormal cytological abnormality rate was high. More effort needs to be put in place to ensure that women have access to screening to reduce the burden of cervical cancer in this environment.Keywords: Paps smear, intraepithelial changes, cervical cancer, Jos University Teaching HospitalTrop J Obstet Gynaecol, 30 (1), April 201