Follow-up care of women with an abnormal cytology in a low-resource setting.
OBJECTIVE
We ascertained the follow-up care after an abnormal cytology (Papanicolaou) screening in the San Marti;n region of Perú and assessed the status of women who had not received adequate care.


METHODS
We identified women with an abnormal cytology and assessed their medical records, laboratory registries, death certificates and interviewed them at home. Re-screening, diagnosis and treatment were offered.


RESULTS
Only 46 (25%) of the 183 women identified received appropriate follow-up care. At re-screening 31 (34%) had a normal result, 9 (10%) were diagnosed with CIN1 and 50 (56%) had CIN2 or worse.


CONCLUSIONS
In this setting, follow-up care after an abnormal cytology was very poor and could explain the lack of impact of cervical cancer screening. Women with an abnormal cytology constitute a high-risk group that should be a priority for health services.
Gage
Julia C
JC
Health Resources and Services Administration, 5600 Fishers Lane, Room 18-41, Rockville, MD, USA. jgage@hrsa.gov
Ferreccio
Catterina
C
Gonzales
Miguel
M
Arroyo
Raul
R
Huivín
Militza
M
Robles
Sylvia C
SC
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008499:Medical Records; D008507:Medically Underserved Area; D008875:Middle Aged; D065006:Papanicolaou Test; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010568:Peru; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014626:Vaginal Smears / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002578:Uterine Cervical Dysplasia / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*