Evaluation of the Quality of Cervico-Vaginal Smears at Gyneco-Obstetric and Pediatric Hospital of Douala

Abstract

Objective. Cervical cancer is likely to be the cancer that Cervico-Vaginal Smear (CVS) screening would be most contributive if performed under favorable conditions. In Cameroon, there is no quality control in the laboratories of Anatomy Cytology Pathology (ACP) and even less, there is no study on the quality of CVS sampling since its implementation in our country. However, in the laboratory, the quality of the sample determines the quality of the analysis and consequently the quality of the result and therapeutic orientations. The objective of our study was to evaluate the quality approach in the practice of CVS at the Gyneco-Obstetrics and Pediatric Hospital of Douala (GOPEHD). Material and methods. We have retrospectively conducted a descriptive study for a period from September 2015 to December 2016 where we performed a quality control of CVS at the sampling level. We have used the Bethesda System 2004 as a reference quality manual for evaluation. Results. In total of 508 CVS performed in clinical practice were reviewed and at the end of analyzes, we obtained 28.94% CVS satisfactory for the evaluation, 43.31% CVS satisfactory but limited by… and inadequate CVS rate was 27.76%. The analysis of the reports revealed that 65.31% of the CVS had no information regarding the quality of the sample. Conclusion. The quality of samples taken at GOPEHD is partially in line with Bethesda's recommendations, which implies that ACP professionals must truly engage in a process of improving quality in the practice of CVS.