Comparative study between visual inspection of cervix with acetic acid and pap smear for cervical cancer screening in tribal area of Chhattisgarh

Abstract

Background: Cervical cancer ranks as the second most common cancer among women in India. Incidence is 6-29% approximately of all cancer in India. Objective: The objective of this study is to compare the Sensitivity, Specificity, Positive Predictive Value, Negative Predictive Value and Accuracy of VIA and Pap smear. Method: This was a comparative study done between May 2019 to April 2020. Patients screened from the Gynaecological OPD from the department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, GMC Ambikapur, Chhattisgarh. Firstly Pap smear was taken followed by VIA was performed with 3-5% acetic acid. Pap smear positive patients are called back for biopsy. Results: In this study total 200 patients have participated, VIA positive in 35 patients(17.5%) and Pap smear positive in 17 patients(3.5%).Out of 17 patients, five were positive for carcinoma cervix(2.5%), seven cases of ASCUS(3.5%), two cases of LSIL(1%), three cases of HSIL(1.5%), patients with NILM were 98(49%). Conclusion: This study shown that VIA is more sensitive than Pap smear. VIA is easy, low cost and treatment can be administered in the same sitting. By this study we recommended that VIA can be used to screen for cervical cancer in rural areas where Pap smear is difficult and expensive.