Prevalence of Cervical Cancer in Childbearing, Premenopausal and Postmenopausal Women in Kolhan Region, Jharkhand

ABSTRACT

Background: Cancer of uterine cervix is one of the commoncarcinoma among females. The global incidence of cervicalcancer varies (5 lakhs new cases/year), highest in developingcountries with >50% dying. In India, cervical cancer contributesto approximately 6–29% of all cancers in women. Prevention ofcervical cancer, whether primary or secondary requires activeparticipation of the community. This study is to assess thePrevalence, Pap screening, knowledge, attitude practice andprevention regarding cervical cancer. Identification of riskfactors is necessary to curb the disease.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in differentCHC, PHC and MGM Medical college Jamshedpur area ofKolhan region of Jharkhand. A sample of 499 women aged 15-70 years was taken from January 2017- August 2019 and wasselected and subjected to Pap smear test of cervix andabnormal smears, Histopathological report of HSIL/invasivecarcinoma, Factors like menarche, coitarche, age at marriage,parity, contraception, smoking habit and socio-economic statuswere noted.Results: In our study, HSIL was 0.2% and invasive cancer was2.8%. Out of the 499 respondents most of them belonged tothe 15-39 years age group. About 81.96% were Hindu, morethan all the other religion respondents 79.75% of the womenwere educated in primary level. Around 85.17% of therespondents were housewives by occupation. Majority of thembelonged to the lower socio-economic strata. The awarenessabout Pap smear where p>0.05 not significant.Conclusions: Early menarche, early coitarche, early marriage,high parity, use of contraception other than barrier, lowsocioeconomic status, poor habitat and HPV infection, carrieda high risk of developing cervical cancer. HPV infection wasthe most important risk factor. Improvement of socioeconomicstatus, education and cervical cancer screening of the high-riskgroup can reduce cervical cancer mortality and morbiditysignificantly.