ABSTRACT

Objective: To evaluate the visual inspection with acetic acid as screening test for cervical cancer

Subjects and Methods: The current interventional study was led at Gynae/Obstetrics Department, Liaquat University of medical and health Science. All married sexually active women with age 15 to 60 years and presented with vaginal discharge were included. After obtaining well-versed consent, females were asked regarding demographic data. Investigation was performed as per standard protocol. Pap smear was taken and fixed according to protocol. An Airwick soaked within 5% acetic acid was after that applied substantially in cervix. Following a minute, the cervix was observed with torch-light and specimens were taken and send to diagnostic laboratory for biopsy. All the data was recorded in proforma. The data analysis was done by windows released SPSS version 21.

Results: Total 135 women were elected their means age was 39±11.7 years. Frequency of acetowhite region was positive among 15 (11.1%) females. Within all of these 15 females, the acetowhite within 2 cm touched the CJ region. Out of 15 women 13 exhibited shiny white lesions. Biopsy was negative among 125 cases and was positive among 10 patients out of 15 Acetowhite lesions. Acetowhite lesions showed 80.0% sensitivity and 94.4% specificity.

Conclusion: Visual examination with acetic acid is a good screening tool for cervical cancer with high sensitivity and specificity. It is cost-effective, feasible and easily to perform.

Key words: Cervical cancer, Visual examination with acetic acid, screening test