PAP SMEAR SCREENING FOR DETECTION AND PREVENTION OF CERVICAL CANCER IN RURAL POPULATION OF TAMIL NADU, INDIA CONDUCTED IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL
Main Article Content
Abstract
Background
Cervical screening has been one of the most successful public health program practiced for the prevention of cervical screening. Cytology forms the basis for this screening. Therefore, this test is recommended by the gynecologists to all women who are sexually active. The present study was designed to understand the health status of the women of rural population of Kanchipuram and Chengalpattu districts of the Tamil Nadu, India.
Methods
This is a cross sectional study involving the screening of women from the rural population of Kanchipuram and Chengalpattu districts for the assessment of health status using pap smear test who have attended the outpatient department of Obstetrics and Gynecology conducted during the period of January 2018 to March 2021.
Results
The present study included 1500 Pap smears, of which the most common abnormality was inflammatory smear, which is followed by atrophic smear. Among all the study subjects majority (64.5%) of the women were home makers and not working, remaining participants were either self employed or working women. Percentage of abnormal smear reports was reported in group 2 (31-40 years) subjects followed by group 3 (41-50 years) women. In 22 patients, Atypical Squamous Cell of Undetermined Significance (ASCUS) was observed. The present study reported very less cervical cancer prevalence in our study population.
Conclusion
It can be concluded that Pap smear is a sensitive and effective screening test which can be used for assessing the reproductive health status of the women and in the early detection of cervical cancer by doing screening at regular intervals.