Screening for cervical dysplasia and reproductive tract infections in Kerala, India: A multicentric study

BACKGROUND: Cancer of the uterine cervix is estimated to the second most frequently occurring malignancy among females in India. Cancer mortality profile in India estimates that 20.7% of cancer deaths in females are cervical cancer. This well elucidates the fatal aspect of the disease and the need for early detection. AIMS: To screen for cervical dysplasias and reproductive tract infections in various parts of Kerala, India, and determine its associated factors. METHODS AND METHODOLOGY: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted in various parts of Kerala, India. This study included an interview schedule to collect data and the procedures included per speculum examination along with a Pap smear test. RESULTS: A total of 199 women were screened with mean age of 45.87 ± 9.84 years. Of these, 13.5% showed inflammatory smears, 1% showed infective pathology and 1.5% showed pre-malignant lesions. CONCLUSION: The increased rates of inflammation and infection show its importance in public health. Similar community-based screening as well as routine screening by physicians/gynaecologists is recommended for early detection of cervical cancer and reproductive tract infections. Community education among the population proves to be an important factor; especially regarding HPV vaccination.