Original Articles
Vol. 2 No. 3 (2026)
https://doi.org/10.4081/sjroh.2026.647

Associated factors and control measures for cervical precancerous lesions in the Mifi Health District, Cameroon: a case-control study

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Published: 7 October 2026
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Cervical precancerous lesions, associated factors, Mifi Health District, Cameroon

Authors

Armand Tiotsia Tsapi
tsapi.armand@gmail.com
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5956-7990
Evangelical University Institute of Cameroon, Faculty of Science and Technology, Mbouo Bandjoun; West Regional Delegation of Public Health, Reproductive Health and Family Planning Program, Bafoussam, Cameroon.
Aichatou Bello
Evangelical University Institute of Cameroon, Faculty of Science and Technology, Mbouo Bandjoun; West Regional Delegation of Public Health, Reproductive Health and Family Planning Program, Bafoussam, Cameroon.
Eric Defo Tamgno
Evangelical University Institute of Cameroon, Faculty of Science and Technology, Mbouo Bandjoun, Cameroon; Department of Public Health, Epidemiology and Health Economics, University of Liege, Belgium.
Loic Djommo Metchehe
Global Research Agency, Department of Research and Science, Dschang, Cameroon.
Gianluca Russo
Department of Infectious Diseases, Microbiology and Public Health, La Sapienza University of Rome, Italy.
Jules Roger Kuiate
Evangelical University Institute of Cameroon, Faculty of Science and Technology, Mbouo Bandjoun; Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Dschang, Cameroon.

Cervical cancer remains a major public health problem in low- and middle-income countries, despite being largely preventable. In Cameroon’s Mifi Health District, preventive services remain underused. We identified factors associated with cervical precancerous lesions and assessed selected control measures. A retrospective case-control study was conducted at Bafoussam Regional Hospital in 2024 among 348 women aged 30-49: 87 cases (low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions [LSIL] or high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions [HSIL]) and 261 controls with normal cytology (1:3 ratio). Logistic regression was used; control measures were compared with World Health Organization (WHO) elimination targets. Lesions were independently associated with human papillomavirus (HPV) 16/18 positivity (adjusted odds ratio [ORa]=5.94; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.3-9.5), non-use of condoms (ORa=4.2; 95% CI: 2.1-8.5), gynecological symptoms (ORa=3.7; 95% CI: 2.0-6.8), HIV seropositivity (ORa=3.6), hormonal contraception ≥5 years (ORa=3.5), history of sexually transmitted infections (STIs; ORa=2.3), low education (ORa=2.1) and smoking (ORa=1.8). HPV vaccination coverage was 7%, screening coverage 0.43%, and 60% of screen-positive women were treated (performance score: 3/10). Multiple risk factors and major prevention gaps were identified. Strengthening HPV vaccination, screening and timely treatment is essential.

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Associated factors and control measures for cervical precancerous lesions in the Mifi Health District, Cameroon: a case-control study. (2026). Sahelian Journal of Responsible One Health, 2(3). https://doi.org/10.4081/sjroh.2026.647
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