Prevalence of squamous intraepithelial lesions of the cervix in Jalingo, Nigeria

摘要

Aim: Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women in Nigeria; fortunately it is preventable through regular screening and management of intraepithelial lesions. This study aims to determine the prevalence of squamous intraepithelial lesions (SIL) of the cervix among women of reproductive age.Methods: All sexually active women between the ages of 16 – 45 years were screened consecutively for cervical cancer in the Gynecology Clinic of the Specialist Hospital Jalingo using the conventional Pap smear and reported using The Bethesda System.Results: A total of 416 sexually active women were screened. Majority in the 41 – 45 years age group and most of the participants (78.8%) were married. About 83.9% of respondents were negative for SILs; 11.1% had low grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL); 4.6% had high grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL); while atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASC – US) constitute 0.48%. About 18.9% of participants with negative report had inflammatory smears.Conclusion: The prevalence of squamous intraepithelial lesions is high and there is the need for intervention in terms of health education, vaccination, mass screening and management of abnormal smears.?Keywords: Squamous intraepithelial lesion, Prevalence, Cervix.