Cervical cancer screening in Doukoula- the far north region of Cameroon
1 Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Buea, Cameroon.
2 Buea Regional Hospital, Annex, Cameroon.
3 Atlantic Medical Foundation Hospital, Mutengene, Cameroon.
4 Department of Sociology and Anthropology Faculty of Social and Management Sciences, University of Buea, Cameroon.
5 Regional Hospital Annex- Mokolo, Cameroon.
6 District Hospital Kar-Hay Doukoula, Cameroon.
7 Gynae-Obstetric Hospital Douala, Cameroon.
8 Department of Sociology, School of Public Administration Hohai University, Nanjing, China.
9 Kumbo sub divisional Hospital NW Region, Kumbo- Cameroon.
10 Global Health Systems Solutions, Cameroon Infectious Disease Laboratory, Faculty of Health Sciences University of Buea, Cameroon.
Research Article
World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2023, 20(02), 404–411
Publication history:
Received on 10 September 2023; revised on 18 October 2023; accepted on 20 October 2023
Abstract:
With a morbidity of 600,000 cases and 375,000 lethal cases per year, cervical cancer (CC) is the second most prevalent gynecological cancer all over the world. Because of the absence of a widespread preventative campaign, CC has a significant impact in developing countries. An acceptable, efficient, and cost-effective screening technique in low-income nations is the visual inspection of the cervix with acetic acid and Lugol's iodine. By conducting a CC screening exercise in Doukoula, we hope to ignite the culture of CC screening campaigns in the Kar-Hay health district in the extreme north of Cameroon.
Methods: Doukoula District Hospital hosted a one-week CC screening and treatment exercise from the 3rd of November 2021 to the 9th of November 2021. Treatments for dysplastic lesions included thermal coagulation and LEEP. To improve cervix visibility, a MobileODT colposcopic gadget was used.
Results: 306 women in all agreed to take part in the study. A screening uptake of 82% was achieved, with 251 of them completing the process. 7 (2.8%) declared being HIV positive. The mean age of this study was 37.33. We had 31 cases of dysplasia (12.75%) and 1 case of cervical cancer (0.4%). Out of 251 participants, only 3 (1.2%) had undergone CC screening, and just one had received an HPV vaccination in the past. Five CIN-1 cases, aged 25 years and below, did not receive any treatment. The 11 cases of CIN 1 aged over 25 years and the 13 CIN 2 cases were eligible for thermotherapy. The two CIN-3 cases had a LEEP, and a sample was taken for pathology analysis. 20 presented themselves for treatment. The total uptake for treatment was 76.72%.
Conclusion: Despite growing recognition that cervical cancer is a disease that can be prevented, relatively little is being done to increase vaccine, screening, and treatment rates. While waiting for the development of efficient national screening systems, the use of a “see and treat” screening strategy is a reasonable method of approach for the prevention of CC in low-income countries.
Keywords:
Cervical Cancer; Screening; Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid and Lugol’s Iodine; Thermal Coagulation; LEEP; Doukoula.
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Copyright © 2023 Author(s) retain the copyright of this article. This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Liscense 4.0