ABSTRACT
Introduction: Cervical cancer is both a preventable and a curable disease, preventable because the pre-invasive stage can be detected by screening and curable because the verily early stage can be cured. The incidence and mortality from this disease in developing countries is very high.Women of low socio-economic status and minority women are at particular risk for not adhering to recommended cancer screening guidelines. Objectives: 1.To study the cytological abnormalities of pap smear among married women in reproductive age group. 2.To study the risk factors of various stages of cervical dysplasia. Material and Methods: This study was conducted in the urban field practice area of S Nijalingappa Medical College, Bagalkot during 2009-2010. All married women in reproductive age group were included in the study. After obtaining a informed consent, they were interviewed with the predesigned, pre-structured proforma. Data were obtained on social and demographic factors, education, marital and reproductive history and tobacco chewing was obtained. Under aseptic precautions, pap smear was obtained. Results: In the present study, 211 married women participated, among them maximum (45%) were in the age group of 26-35 years. The pap smear report of these participants were inflammatory (57.8%). Severe dysplasia was reported in 9 women. Among the study participants, 66(31.3%) of the women had normal pap smear. Inflammatory smear was present more among 26-35 year age group (30.8%), Class II socio economic status (32.7%) and among Hindus(54.1%). Severe dysplasia was maximum reported among 46-55 years age group, class II socioeconomic status and among Hindus. Recommendation and conclusion: Cervical cancer is a problem with multiple causes and a multipronged approach is essential to combat it. It is essential to provide health education for women, particularly those from the lower socioeconomic strata regarding sexual and genital hygiene and appropriate treatment of sexually transmitted infection.