Prevalence of Precancerous Cervical Lesion and Its Associated Factors Among HIV/AIDS Positive and Negative Women in Debre Berhan Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, North Shewa Zone, Amhara Regional State, Ethiopia: A Cross‐Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Pre-invasive cervical lesion typically progresses for a considerable amount of time before developing into cervical cancer (CC). Consequently, early detection and treatment of cervical cancer at the pre-invasive stage may be advantageous to the patients and lessen the burden of morbidity and mortality from the disease. Our country has limited studies on Precancerous Cervical Lesions (PCCL). Aims: To assess the prevalence and associated factors of precancerous cervical lesions among HIV-positive and negative women in Debre Birhan Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Ethiopia. Methods: An institutional-based comparative cross-sectional study was conducted from July/2021 to June/2023 among 522 women attending cervical cancer screening at Debre Birhan Comprehensive Specialized Hospital. All records during the study period were collected using a structured data extraction checklist. Binary logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify factors associated with pre-cancerous cervical lesions. Results: The overall prevalence of pre-cancerous cervical lesions was 8% (95% CI: 5.6-10.5. The prevalence of pre-cancerous cervical lesions in HIV-positive was 5.4% (95% CI: 2.8-.1) and in HIV-negative women 10.7% (95% CI: 5.6-8.1). Women with lifetime sexual partner ≥ 2 (AOR = 3.84, 95% CI: 1.06-3.97), who have a history of STI (AOR = 5.66, 95% CI: 1.50-21.41) and women with age ≥ 45 years (AOR = 4.22, 95% CI: 1.21-14.76) were contributing factors of a PCCL for HIV-positive women. In addition, women with a history of Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) (AOR = 6.51, 95% CI: 2.11-0.09) and who have a lifetime sexual partner ≥ 2 (AOR = 8.4, 95% CI: 2.85-4.79) were statistically significant association with pre-cancerous cervical lesion for HIV-negative women. Conclusion: The overall prevalence of pre-cancerous cervical lesions was found to be low in this study relative to the national prevalence. However, strengthening routine screening of women for pre-cancerous cervical lesions and behavioural change communication on risk factors is very important.