Abstract: Cervical cancer remains a major global health concern, particularly in low-resource settings where screening options like PAP smear may be limited. This study aimed to compare the diagnostic effectiveness of Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid (VIA) and PAP smear in detecting cervical intraepithelial neoplastic lesions. This observational study conducted in a tertiary care hospital in South Gujarat involved 100 women aged 21-65 who underwent both VIA and PAP smear testing. Findings suggest that while VIA is less specific, it is highly sensitive and provides immediate results, making it a practical screening tool in low-resource settings.
Introduction: Cervical cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women worldwide, particularly in low-resource countries where access to effective screening is limited. This study compares the effectiveness of VIA and PAP smear in detecting cervical intraepithelial neoplastic lesions among women attending a tertiary care hospital in South Gujarat.
Aims and objectives: The main aim of the study is to compare the accuracy and predictive value of visual inspection with acetic acid and PAP Smear.
Materials & Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital in South Gujarat, involving 100 married women aged 21 to 65 years. Participants underwent VIA and PAP smear testing in same setting. For VIA a freshly prepared 5% acetic acid were used.
Results: The study found that VIA had an accuracy of 82% compared to PAP smear. Women who married young, had lower socioeconomic status, or were illiterate exhibited higher rates of cervical abnormalities. Additionally, women using Copper T contraception showed more inflammatory changes on cervical screening.
Discussion: While VIA is less specific than PAP smear, its high sensitivity and immediate results make it valuable in low-resource settings. PAP smear remains the gold standard due to its specificity and ability to detect high-grade lesions. The study suggests incorporating VIA into screening programs for better early detection.
Conclusion: VIA is a cost-effective and immediate screening method for cervical cancer, particularly in low resource settings. PAP smear, however, remains the preferred method due to its higher specificity. Combining both techniques can improve early detection and reduce cervical cancer incidence
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