PREVALENCE OF CERVICAL CANCER IN ABUBAKAR TAFAWA BALEWA UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL BAUCHI, NIGERIA: A 3-YEAR REVIEW

Umma Hani Ja’afaru*, Rukaiyah Dawud Miko, Habibah Ismail Ibrahim, Suwaiba Adam Ayuba

ABSTRACT

Background: Cervical cancer is the fourth most frequently diagnosed cancer of women worldwide, and the most prevalent cancer in half of the sub Saharan African Countries. It is a preventable disease hence availability of organised screening programmes will reduce the burden. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of cervical cancer and histological types in ATBUTH, Bauchi. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of cervical cancer at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital, Bauchi, Nigeria over a 3 year period. Relevant data was obtained from case notes, Gynaecology ward and histopathology department records. Data was analysed and presented using simple percentages, frequency tables and chart. Results: Over the study period, there were 1437 admissions in the Gynaecology ward of which 197 were gynaecological cancers, of the cancers, 94 were cervical cancers were studied. Cervical cancer accounted for 6.54% of all gynaecological admissions and 47.7% of all gynaecological cancers. The mean age at presentation was 55.4±15.8 years. Most (26.9%) patients presented in their 5th decade and were postmenopausal (61.6%). Educational level was poor as majority (80.8%) had no formal education. 76.9% attained coitarche at less than 18 years of age. The most common histological type was squamous cell carcinoma (80.8%) while the rare adenoid cystic carcinoma accounted for 7.7%. Conclusion: Cervical cancer is common and factors which play a great role in the prevalence of the disease include age, parity, menopausal status, coitarche and educational status. A rare histological type was also seen in this study.

Keywords: cervical cancer, screening, histology.