Authors : B.D. Rosemary, L.C. Grace , G.H. Allan , S. Joseph , M.K.A. Richard , D. Rudolph and K.A. John
Abstract: A comprehensive community-based study of adult women living in Accra, Ghana was conducted to determine demographic characteristics associated with prior cervical cancer screening of the 1317 women who responded, only 26 (2.0%) ever had a Papanicolaou (Pap) smear for cervical cancer. One of the 26 (3.7%) reported being diagnosed with cervical cancer. There was a significant association with a prior Pap smear and 5 or more lifetime sexual partners (OR 1.68 [1.27-2.21], p<0.001); education at any level compared to no education (OR 3.18 [1.17-8.69), p<0.001); higher than secondary level education (OR 5.72 [1.74-4.17], p<0.001); 3 or more induced abortions (OR 3.09 CI [1.27-7.52], p = 0.013); prior mammography (OR 18.97 [5.67-63.46], p<0.001) and a prior clinical breast examination (OR 3.88 [1.70-8.85], p = 0.001). There was no association with risk factors including current age, age at first intercourse, age at first pregnancy, stillbirths, miscarriages, unprotected sexual intercourse, diagnosis or symptoms of sexually transmitted diseases, HIV status, number of lifetime partners, ethnicity, religion, occupation or income with prior cervical cancer screening. This study reveals that despite years of efforts to improve screening for cervical cancer, these measures are not reaching the community of women. Educated women appear to have taken it upon themselves to undergo screening for both breast and cervical cancer.
Rosemary, B.D. , L.C. Grace , G.H. Allan , S. Joseph , M.K.A. Richard , D. Rudolph and K.A. John , 2006. Screening for Cervical Cancer Still Not Included as Routine Health Care for Women . International Journal of Tropical Medicine, 1: 1-5.