Cervical cancer management in Zaria, Nigeria

The paper\'s objective was to identify factors influencing cervical cancer management in Zaria with a view to improving the outcome of management. Case notes of patients managed for cervical cancer in Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH), Zaria between January 1 1999 and December 31 2003, were retrieved and relevant information extracted and analyzed using MINITAB statistical software. There were 70 women with cervical cancer managed during the study period and their mean age was 47.61 years. Risk factors included high parity (mean = 7.4), low age at first coitus (mean = 14.62 years), multiple sex partners (81.63% in polygamous marriages, 42.55% with multiple marriages), and smoking (15.09%). Poor prognostic factors included delayed presentation - mean duration of symptoms was 12.59 months and only 4.35% presented with stage I disease. Lack of funds for investigations and treatment was also a risk factor for poor prognosis (only 25% of the 24 patients who needed blood transfusion were adequately transfused and only 21.74% of all patients had complete treatment). The paper concludes that increased public awareness about cervical cancer is needed to minimise risk factors and encourage early presentation. Governments and other funding agencies need to devote more funds for cervical cancer prevention, screening and treatment. African Journal of Health Sciences Vol. 14 (3-4) 2007: pp. 149-153