Introduction: Cervical metaplasia is a common epithelial change occurring at the transformation zone of the cervix and may predispose to premalignant and malignant lesions under the influence of chronic irritants. Tobacco chewing is widely prevalent among females in developing regions and contains multiple carcinogenic compounds that may adversely affect cervical epithelial integrity. Despite this, limited data are available regarding the incidence of cervical metaplasia among tobacco-chewing females.
Aims: To determine the incidence of cervical metaplasia among tobacco-chewing females and to assess its association with the duration of tobacco chewing.
Materials and Methods: A hospital-based observational cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of a tertiary care hospital over a period of 18 months. Fifty tobacco-chewing females aged 20 years and above were included in the study. Detailed clinical history, including duration of tobacco chewing, was recorded. Cervical cytology was performed using Pap smear examination. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25.0. Categorical variables were expressed as frequencies and percentages. Associations were assessed using chi-square test and Z-test for proportions. A p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: The incidence of cervical metaplasia among tobacco-chewing females was found to be 36% (18/50). The highest prevalence of metaplasia was observed in women aged 30-49 years (Z = 2.41, p = 0.016). A significant association was noted between duration of tobacco chewing and cervical metaplasia, with higher prevalence observed among women with more than five years of tobacco exposure (Z = 2.52, p = 0.012). Abnormal uterine bleeding was the most common presenting symptom and showed a statistically significant association with cervical pathology (Z = 2.67, p = 0.007).
International Journal of Clinical Obstetrics and Gynaecology
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