Estimates for cervical abnormalities in Vanuatu.
OBJECTIVE
To use the Pap smear to establish a recent prevalence of cervical abnormalities within a select population in Vanuatu, a developing country.


METHODS
Cervical smears (n=907) were collected from Ni-Vanuatu women from both urban and rural islands within Vanuatu between August 2001 and September 2005.


RESULTS
The prevalence of low-grade epithelial abnormalities for the total population was 2.9% and the prevalence of the high-grade epithelial abnormalities/cancer was 2.0%. There was a significant difference (p<0.05) in prevalence of high-grade epithelial abnormalities/cancer between the urban and rural populations sampled, with a higher prevalence in the urban population.


CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of pre-cancer and cancer in Vanuatu is high compared with Victorian (Australian) statistics yet comparable with other developing countries with no cervical screening programs available.


CONCLUSIONS
This study will hopefully assist in future planning of women's health programs and relevant preventive strategies to combat cervical cancer in Vanuatu.
Fotinatos
Nina
N
School of Biomedical Science, Charles Sturt University, New South Wales, Australia. lacn@aapt.net.au
Warmington
Adrian
A
Walker
Todd
T
Pilbeam
Mark
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000002:abnormalities; D003906:Developing Countries; D016021:Epidemiologic Studies; D004848:Epithelium / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D052162:Human papillomavirus 16; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009517:New South Wales / Q000453:epidemiology; D065006:Papanicolaou Test; D015995:Prevalence; D002577:Uterine Cervical Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014626:Vaginal Smears; D009514:Vanuatu / Q000453:epidemiology; D014739:Victoria / Q000453:epidemiology