The Prevalence of Abnormal Cervical Cytology at Federal Teaching Hospital Gombe: A Cross-Sectional Study

Introduction: Cervical cancer continues to be a significant public health concern, ranking as the fourth most common cancer among women globally, with approximately 604,000 new cases and 342,000 deaths reported in 2020 (World Health Organization, 2020). The burden of cervical cancer disproportionately affects women in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where access to effective screening and treatment options is often limited. Early detection and treatment of cervical premalignant lesions are crucial in reducing the incidence and mortality associated with this preventable disease.

The objectives of this study was to determine the prevalence of abnormal cervical cytology, the histological types and patient characteristics among patients attending the Gynaecology/postnatal clinic of Federal Teaching Hospital, Gombe State, Nigeria.

Methods: A retrospective study of all cervical smears received and processed at the Pathology laboratory of Federal Teaching Hospital between January 2022 and December 2022.

Results: The records of 596 smears of women between the ages of 20 and 65 years were retrieved and analyzed. Negative smears were predominant (62.6%) while 8.7% were inflammatory smears. Dyskaryotic smears were found in 155 smears (26.0%); this was made up atypical glandular cells of undetermined significance (AGCUS) in 1.8%, Atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS) in 10.23%, Low grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL) in 10.6% and High grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL) in 3.6%. Malignant cells were found in 0.5% of the smears while the remaining 2.1% were unsatisfactory.

Conclusion: The relatively high frequency of dyskaryosis in this study lends credence to the need for us to widen our cervical screening coverage in order to achieve the highest possible coverage rate. This can be achieved through the use of public education by means of various media, women and religious organizations.