Abstract:
Background: Cervical cancer is a global public health problem and the second most
common cancer-causing morbidity and mortality among women in developing countries.
Women who have been infected with human immunodeficiency virus are more prone to
developing cervical lesions.
Objective: To assess the prevalence and associated factors of precancerous cervical lesions
among women on antiretroviral therapy at Dukem Health Center, Oromia, Ethiopia.
Methods: An institution based cross sectional study was conducted among 257 women on
antiretroviral treatment. The study participant was selected using simple random sampling.
Data was collected using pretested structured questionnaire, medical record review and visual
inspection with acetic acid was done for study participants to detect precancerous cervical
cancer lesions. Collected data was entered into Epi-info 7.4 and exported to SPSS version 20
for analysis. Descriptive statistics were used to determine the level of precancerous cervical
lesions and characteristics of study participants. Binary logistic regression and multivariable
logistic regression analysis were used to identify presence and strength of association with
precancerous cervical lesions. In multivariable logistic regression analysis, significant
declared at variables with P-value < 0.05 with 95% CI of the adjusted odd ratio (AOR).
Results: The prevalence of precancerous cervical lesions was 16% (95% CI; 11.7-20.6).
Women with a history of sexually transmitted infections were [AOR = 4.30; 95% CI (1.48–
12.49)], women who used oral contraceptives were [AOR = 6.56; 95% CI (2.10-20.50)], and
women who two or more life time’s sexual partner were 2.53 times more likely to have
precancerous cervical lesions than those who had single sexual partners [AOR = 2.53; (95%
CI (1.05, 6.101)].
Conclusion: The proportion of precancerous cervical lesions was found to be high in this
study. Using oral contraceptives pills, having a history of STI, having two or more life time
sexual partners, and recent CD4 count less than 200cells/mm3 were all associated with
precancerous cervical cance
