Prevalence of cervical dysplasia and its relationship with socio-demographic characteristics in a low-resource setting

Cervical dysplasia is a precancerous condition characterized by abnormal cell growth in the cervix. It is a global health concern, particularly in low-resource countries with limited healthcare services and preventive measures. If left untreated, it can develop into cervical cancer, the fourth most common malignancy in women and the seventh overall. Addressing this issue requires an understanding of the prevalence of cervical dysplasia and the socio-demographic characteristics associated with it in low-resource settings such as Gombe State, Northern Nigeria. This cross-sectional pilot study was conducted over six months, from October 2019 to March 2020, in four cervical screening centers: State Specialist Hospital Gombe and General Hospitals in Kaltungo, Bajoga, and Kumo, all in Gombe State, Nigeria. Healthcare workers were trained to screen 3,062 women using visual inspection methods, including visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA) and visual inspection with Lugol’s iodine (VILI). Ethical approval was obtained from the Health Research and Ethics Committee of the Gombe State Ministry of Health. Informed consent was obtained from each participant, and data were collected through structured questionnaires. Chi-square tests and logistic regression were used to assess the association between socio-demographic factors and cervical dysplasia. The majority of the 3,062 participants were aged 35–49 years, Christian, had one sexual partner, and were married. Cervical dysplasia was detected in 3.2% of screened women. No significant association was found between cervical dysplasia and age, religion, occupation, or parity. However, divorced women had a higher frequency of cervical dysplasia. Additionally, smoking was associated with an increased risk of cervical dysplasia. Cervical dysplasia remains a significant health concern in low-resource settings, necessitating prompt treatment and preventive measures. These findings highlight the need for comprehensive and equitable healthcare programs, particularly for women with socio-demographic risk factors such as divorce, smoking, and a history of sexually transmitted diseases.