Socio-demographic Characteristics and Use of Pap Smear for Cervical Cancer Screening Among Women of Eastern Part of India

• Published in: Indian journal of gynecologic oncology Vol. 17; no. 3
• Main Authors: Ghosh, Dipanwita, Mahata, Sutapa, Sahoo, Pranab Kumar, Sarkar, Sinjini, Roy, Asoke, Datta, Karabi, Vernekar, Manisha, Mandal, Syamsundar, Nasare, Vilas D.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New Delhi Springer India 01.09.2019
• Subjects: Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Oncology; Original Article; Surgical Oncology; Pap test; Socio-demographic characteristics; Cervical cancer
• ISSN: 2363-8397; 2363-8400
• DOI: 10.1007/s40944-019-0303-4

Objectives Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in India with high incidence and mortality rates. The aim of the study was to examine the association of risk with cervical cancer by Pap smear screening approach. Methods This study design is based on retrospective data collection from case files of Cancer Detection Centre (CDC) who attended during the period of January 1995 to September 2016. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics, cross-tabulation and Pearson’s chi-square test. Results The study included 1195 women of whom 31.4% were aged 26–35 years; 91.2% Hindus; 80.3% housewives; 64.8% school educated; 85.8% married; 97.9% non-vegetarian; and 53.9% small family size. The above parameters were highly significant with the clinical diagnosis of cervical lesions by Pap test ( p  < 0.05). Addictions like betel leaf and smoking/chewing tobacco have shown significant correlation with cytological test ( p  < 0.05). Gynaecologic history including menarche, menstrual type, menopause, parity, abortion and mode of delivery had strong correlation with Pap test ( p  < 0.05). The chief complaints, clinical examination of cervix, clinical diagnosis and size of uterus had strong correlation with cytological findings ( p  = 0.001). Conclusion The findings of the present study indicate that demographic characteristics, addictions, gynaecological and obstetric history and medical characteristics are strongly associated with increased risk of cervical cancer in Indian women. Furthermore, Pap smear is an effective screening method in low-cost infrastructure and for early detection.