Precancerous cervical lesions and associated factors among women on antiretroviral therapy at Dukem Health Center, Central Ethiopia: A cross‐sectional study

Abstract

Background and AimsCervical cancer is a global public health problem and the second most common cancer which leads to morbidity and mortality among women in developing countries like Ethiopia. In Ethiopia, annually 6294 new cervical cancer cases and 4884 deaths are estimated in 2018 alone. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and associated factors of precancerous cervical lesions among women on antiretroviral therapy (ART) at Dukem Health Center, Central Ethiopia.MethodsAn institution‐based cross‐sectional study was carried out among randomly selected 257 women receiving ART at Dukem Health Center. Data were collected using a pretested structured questionnaire, medical record review, and visual inspection with acetic acid. Collected data were entered into Epi‐info 7.4 and exported to SPSS version 26 for analysis. The prevalence of precancerous cervical lesions and the characteristics of study participants were identified. Utilizing both binary and multivariable logistic regression models, the existence and degree of association with precancerous cervical lesions were determined with a p value < 0.05 and a 95% confidence interval.ResultsThe prevalence of precancerous cervical lesions was 16% (95% CI: 11.7–20.6). Significant association was found between precancerous cervical lesions and a history of STIs (AOR = 4.30, 95% CI: 1.48–12.49), oral contraceptive use (AOR = 6.56, 95% CI: 2.10–20.50), having multiple lifetime sexual partners (AOR = 2.53: 95% CI: 1.05–6.10), and a recent CD4 count of less than 200 cells/mm3 (AOR: 11.33, 95% CI: 2.88–24.58).ConclusionIn the study area, the prevalence of precancerous cervical lesions was relatively high. Therefore, concerned bodies are recommended to increase awareness of the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases and limit sexual partners.

Precancerous cervical lesion and associated factors among HIV-infected women in Ethiopia: systematic review and meta- analysis

“…According to the included research, the prevalence of precancerous cervical lesions ranged from 7.5% [ 15 ] to 22.1% [ 21 ]. The Amhara area was the focus of five of the studies included in this review [ 9 , 20 , 22 – 24 ]; two investigations were conducted in the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and People’s Region (SNNPR) [ 21 , 25 ], and the remaining two were conducted in the Addis Ababa and Oromia Regions[ 15 , 26 ] Table 1 .…”