Factors associated with Visual Inspection with Acetic-acid (VIA) outcome for cervical cancer among women in western health region one of The Gambia: A case-control study
1
Epidemiology and Disease Control Program, Ministry of Health, The Gambia, Banjul, Gambia
2
National Public Health Laboratory, Ministry of Health, The Gambia, Ministry of Health, The Gambia, Banjul, Gambia
3
National Veterinary Services, Ministry of Agriculture, The Gambia, Ministry of Agriculture, The Gambia, Banjul, Gambia
4
Centre for Evidence Synthesis and Policy, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
5
Department of Epidemiology and Disease Control, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
Cancer is characterized by rapid creation of abnormal cells . Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women. In 2018, approximately half a million cases were reported. More than 300000 women die of cervical cancer annually and it is one of the leading causes of cancer related mortality in Africa including The Gambia. Identification of risk factors of cervical cancer is significant in preventing the illness. This study assessed factors associated with VIA outcome for cervical cancer among women in Western Health Region One of The Gambia.
METHODS:
Health facility based unmatched case-control study was conducted. We conducted interview to obtained data on the risk factors of respondents. Data was analysed descriptively using STATA version 16 and presented into frequencies and percentages for categorical variables and mean and standard deviation for continues variables. Chi-square test was used to determine the association between the risk factors and VIA outcome at a p-value of ≤ 0.05. The significant variables were used to develop a multivariate model of the predictors using backward stepwise regression.
RESULTS:
A total of 204 participants were interviewed for the study (cases, n=68, controls, n=136). The mean age for both study participants was 32.71 (SD±7.69). Risk factors for VIA outcome were found to be use of oral contraceptive (aOR=2.97, 95% CI: 1.56-5.68) and history of STI (aOR=2.48, 95% CI:1.33-4.62). Being employed (aOR=0.46, 95% CI: 0.24-0.88) was found to be protective.
CONCLUSIONS:
The study illustrates that oral contraceptive usage and history of STIs increases the odds of having a positive VIA outcome. However, being employed was identified to be protective against positive VIA outcome. Early treatment of STIs and creation of job opportunities for women can be key in combating cervical cancer.
Cancer is characterized by rapid creation of abnormal cells . Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women. In 2018, approximately half a million cases were reported. More than 300000 women die of cervical cancer annually and it is one of the leading causes of cancer related mortality in Africa including The Gambia. Identification of risk factors of cervical cancer is significant in preventing the illness. This study assessed factors associated with VIA outcome for cervical cancer among women in Western Health Region One of The Gambia.
METHODS:
Health facility based unmatched case-control study was conducted. We conducted interview to obtained data on the risk factors of respondents. Data was analysed descriptively using STATA version 16 and presented into frequencies and percentages for categorical variables and mean and standard deviation for continues variables. Chi-square test was used to determine the association between the risk factors and VIA outcome at a p-value of ≤ 0.05. The significant variables were used to develop a multivariate model of the predictors using backward stepwise regression.
RESULTS:
A total of 204 participants were interviewed for the study (cases, n=68, controls, n=136). The mean age for both study participants was 32.71 (SD±7.69). Risk factors for VIA outcome were found to be use of oral contraceptive (aOR=2.97, 95% CI: 1.56-5.68) and history of STI (aOR=2.48, 95% CI:1.33-4.62). Being employed (aOR=0.46, 95% CI: 0.24-0.88) was found to be protective.
CONCLUSIONS:
The study illustrates that oral contraceptive usage and history of STIs increases the odds of having a positive VIA outcome. However, being employed was identified to be protective against positive VIA outcome. Early treatment of STIs and creation of job opportunities for women can be key in combating cervical cancer.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
We process personal data collected when visiting the website. The function of obtaining information about users and their behavior is carried out by voluntarily entered information in forms and saving cookies in end devices. Data, including cookies, are used to provide services, improve the user experience and to analyze the traffic in accordance with the Privacy policy. Data are also collected and processed by Google Analytics tool (more).
You can change cookies settings in your browser. Restricted use of cookies in the browser configuration may affect some functionalities of the website.
You can change cookies settings in your browser. Restricted use of cookies in the browser configuration may affect some functionalities of the website.
