Conectar
by Berihun Agegn Mengistie, Getie Mihret Aragaw, Tazeb Alemu Anteneh, Kindu Yinges Wondie, Alemneh Tadesse Kassie, Alemken Eyayu Abuhay, Wondimnew Mersha Biset, Gebrye Gizaw Mulatu, Nuhamin Tesfa Tsega
BackgroundPrecancerous cervical lesions, or cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), represent a significant precursor to cervical cancer, posing a considerable threat to women’s health globally, particularly in developing countries. In Africa, the burden of premalignant cervical lesions is not well studied. Therefore, the main purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to determine the overall prevalence of precancerous cervical lesions and identifying determinants among women who underwent cervical cancer screening in Africa.
MethodsThis study followed the Preferred Reporting Item Review and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. The protocol for this systematic review and meta-analysis was registered on the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) (ID: CRD42025645427). We carried out a systematic and comprehensive search on electronic databases such as PubMed and Hinari. In addition, Google Scholar and ScienceDirect were utilized to find relevant studies related to precancerous cervical lesions. Data from the included studies were extracted using an Excel spreadsheet and analyzed using STATA version 17. The methodological quality of the eligible studies was examined using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) assessment tool. Publication bias was checked by using the funnel plot and Egger’s tests. A random-effects model using the Der Simonian Laird method was used to estimate the pooled prevalence of pre-cancerous cervical lesions in Africa. The I-squared and Cochrane Q statistics were used to assess the level of statistical heterogeneity among the included studies.
ResultsA total of 112 eligible articles conducted in Africa, encompassing 212,984 study participants, were included in the quantitative meta-analysis. Thus, the pooled prevalence of pre-cancerous cervical lesions in Africa was 17.06% (95% confidence interval: 15.47%−18.68%). In this review, having no formal education (AOR = 4.07, 95% CI: 1.74, 9.53), being rural dweller(AOR = 2.38, 95% CI: 1.64, 3.46), history of STIs (AOR = 3.94, 95% CI: 2.97, 5.23), history of having multiple partners (AOR = 2.73, 95% CI: 2.28, 3.28), early initiation of coitus (AOR = 2.77, 95% CI: 2.11, 3.62), being HIV-seropositive women (AOR = 3.33, 95% CI: 2.32, 4.78), a CD4 count Conclusions
In Africa, the overall prevalence of pre-cancerous cervical lesions is high (17%). The findings of this review highlight that health professionals, health administrators, and all other concerned bodies need to work in collaboration to expand comprehensive cervical cancer screening methods in healthcare facilities for early detection and treatment of cervical lesions. In addition, increasing community awareness and health education, expanding visual inspection of the cervix with acetic acid in rural areas, offering special attention to high-risk groups (HIV-positive women), encouraging adherence to antiretroviral therapy for HIV-positive women, overcoming risky sexual behaviors and practices, and advocating early detection and treatment of precancerous cervical lesions.
Antenatal care (ANC) is a critical component for improving maternal and newborn health. It provides a platform for essential healthcare services, including health promotion, screening and diagnosis, injury and disease prevention, birth preparedness and preparation for the postnatal period. By implementing timely and appropriate evidence-based practices, ANC can reduce maternal and child morbidity and mortality and optimise overall health and well-being.
To assess the magnitude of utilisation of ANC with eight or more contacts and its associated factors among pregnant women attending ANC in Yayo District, 2023.
A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 301 randomly selected pregnant women attending ANC follow-up in selected health facilities in Yayo District, Southwest Ethiopia, from 1 June 2023 to 30 June 2023. Data were collected using an interviewer-administered structured questionnaire. The collected data were coded and entered into Epi Data V.4.6 and then exported to SPSS V.26 for descriptive and inferential analysis. Both bivariate and multivariate logistic regression models were fitted. Adjusted OR (AOR) with a 95% CI was estimated to assess the strength of associations. A p value
A total of 298 pregnant women participated in the study, yielding a response rate of 99%. Most of the pregnant women, 139 (46.6%), were housewives, and the majority, 248 (83.2%), were married. Adequate utilisation of ANC with eight or more contacts was found to be 7.7%. Factors significantly associated with ANC 8+ contacts utilisation include previous pregnancy-related complications (AOR 5.238 (95% CI 1.004 to 27.31)) and early initiation of ANC (AOR 29.09 (95% CI 8.87 to 95.3)).
The magnitude of ANC 8+ contacts utilisation was remarkably low in the study area. Therefore, greater investment is needed to promote the new ANC approach, emphasising ANC 8+ contacts. Special attention should be given to mobilising mothers to initiate ANC before 12 weeks of gestation to reduce the risk of complications and ensure maximum utilisation of ANC 8+ contacts.
FreshRSS 