Precancerous lesions of the cervix: prevalence and associated risk factors in the city of Ebolowa

Abstract

Introduction: The prevalence of precancerous lesions of the cervix is increasing worldwide. The aim of our study was to determine associated risk factors of precancerous lesions of cervix in the city of Ebolowa.

Methodology: This was a cross sectional analytical study conducted over a 3 years’ period from March 2021 to April 2024 at the Ebolowa Regional Health Center (ERHC). We included all records of women who had undergone cervical cancer screening at ERHC from March 2021 to April 2024. Date was collected using a previously tested and validated questionnaire. Descriptive analysis was done and multivariate logistic regression used to identify predictors of precancerous lesions of the cervix. Statistical significance was taken to be P<0.05.

Results: A total of 226 patients were included in the study. Our study revealed that the prevalence of precancerous lesions was 11.5% (26/226). The mean age of the participants was 38.3 ±11 years. The main associated factors to precancerous cervical lesions were: Bamiléké ethnicity (p=0.015), secondary education (P=0.011), use of a contraceptive method (p=0.009), menopause (p=0.049),
history of contact bleeding (P = 0.004) and history of syphilis infection (p= 0.012). After multivariate analysis, the independent risk factors were a history of contact bleeding (p=0.004) and a history of syphilis infection (P = 0.012).

Conclusion: the prevalence of precancerous cervical lesions was higher in our study than in other similar studies conducted in Cameroon, underlining the importance of intensifying cervical cancer prevention efforts in resource-limited countries.