Authors : L.C. Grace, G.H. Allan , S. Joseph , M.K.A. Richard , D. Rudolph , K.A. John and B.D. Rosemary
Abstract: A comprehensive study of women living in Accra, Ghana was conducted to determine the burden of disease of communicable and non-communicable illnesses in urban women in a developing country. Incorporated in that evaluation was an assessment of the prevalence of cervical cancer and dysplasia. Medical interviews and physical examinations with Papanicolaou smears were performed for 843 women residing in metropolitan Accra. The prevalence of cervical cancer detected was 0%; HGSIL 0.5%; LGSIL 0.4% and atypia 7.3%. Women with an abnormal Pap smear were more likely to have had a stillbirth (OR 1.35 [1.02-1.79], p = 0.037] compared to women with a normal result. Only 26 women (1.9%) reported a prior Pap smear. There was no association with known risk factors including age at first intercourse, unprotected sexual intercourse, diagnosis or symptoms of sexually transmitted diseases, HIV status, number of lifetime partners, or income with Pap smear result. It was anticipated that a significant number of women would be diagnosed with cervical cancer and cervical dysplasia. The explanation for the unexpectedly low number of cases of cervical dysplasia and cancers is not evident. These results may underestimate the magnitude of this health condition or they may represent the true burden of the cervical dysplasia in this particular urban population at this time. Further studies are needed to differentiate these two possibilities.
Grace, L.C. , G.H. Allan , S. Joseph , M.K.A. Richard , D. Rudolph , K.A. John and B.D. Rosemary , 2006. Epidemiology of Cervical Cancer and Dysplasia in a Cross-sectional Study of Women in Accra, Ghana. International Journal of Tropical Medicine, 1: 6-10.