Prevalencia de anormalidades en la citología cervical en tres grupos poblacionales de mujeres en Popayán, Colombia 2003 - 2005

Cervical cancer is a preventable disease; however, eradicating this disease is still far from reach. Cervical cytology smears do not always detected human papilloma virus infection and do not predict its behavior. Risk groups must therefore be identified andstrategiessoughtforcomplementingthecervical cytology smear. Objectives :  ascertaining the frequency and the risk of cytological alterations in different female population groups and identifying their epidemiological profile. Methodology :  this was a cross-sectional descriptive study in which 416 females from a penitentiary centre, a university welfare centre and a primary health centre participated from 2003-2005. Female participants had a cytology smear and answered a questionnaire. Results :  cervical cytological abnormalities in the prison inmates had 11% prevalence, 10% in the university students and 6% in females attending the primary health centre. Risk factors were identified in all three groups. Conclusions :  a higher prevalence of cytological abnormalities existed in the university and inmate female populations.