Cervical cancer prevention: safety, acceptability, and feasibility of a single-visit approach in Accra, Ghana.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to assess the safety and acceptability of a single-visit approach to cervical cancer prevention combining visual inspection of the cervix with acetic acid wash (VIA) and cryotherapy.


METHODS
The study was observational. Nine clinicians were trained in VIA and cryotherapy. Over 18 months 3665 women were VIA-tested. If positive and eligible, cryotherapy was offered immediately. Treated women were followed-up at 3 months and 1 year.


RESULTS
The test-positive rate was 13.2%. Of those eligible, 70.2% and 21% received immediate or delayed treatment, respectively. No major complications were recorded, and 5.6% presented for a perceived problem post-cryotherapy. Among those treated over 90% expressed satisfaction with their experience, and 96% had an indentifiable squamo-columnar junction. Only 2.6% (6/232) were test positive, 1-year posttreatment.


CONCLUSIONS
A single-visit approach using VIA and cryotherapy proved to be safe, acceptable, and feasible in an urban African setting.
Blumenthal
Paul D
PD
Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
Gaffikin
Lynne
L
Deganus
Sylvia
S
Lewis
Robbyn
R
Emerson
Mark
M
Adadevoh
Sydney
S
D019342:Acetic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D017679:Cryotherapy / Q000379:methods; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D003906:Developing Countries; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005869:Ghana; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009819:Office Visits; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010349:Patient Compliance; D011322:Primary Prevention / Q000458:organization & administration; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000628:therapy; D014626:Vaginal Smears; D002578:Uterine Cervical Dysplasia / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000628:therapy
D019342:Acetic Acid