Prevalence and risk factors of cervical lesion among married women with low socioeconomic status: a study based on a cervical cancer screening program

Abstract Background Although China has a high incidence of cervical cancer, the screening rate is very low in women aged 35–64 years. Object: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of cervical lesions in married women with low socioeconomic status, and the related risk factors to provide evidence for the development of cervical cancer prevention strategies. Methods We obtained data from the Cervical Cancer Screening Program database of Jinan, Shandong Province in 2020. Descriptive analysis was employed to estimate the prevalence of cervical lesions. Univariate analysis and binary logistic regression were used to investigate the association between the related variables and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN). Results Among 142677 women aged 35–64 years, 787 (0.55%) cervical lesions were detected, of which 503(0.35%) were CIN Ⅰ, 254(0.18%) were CIN Ⅱ/Ⅲ, and 30(0.02%) were invasive cervical cancer. Being in the age group of 35–44 years (vs 55–64 years, Odds Ratio OR = 1.33, 95% CI: 1.03–1.72), high or technical secondary school level education (vs primary or below, OR = 1.47, 95%CI:1.13–1.90), living at higher level regions of economic development (vs living at lower level regions of economic development, OR = 1.40, 95%CI:1.16–1.68), and abnormal leukorrhea (vs normal leukorrhea, OR = 1.61, 95% CI:1.07–2.41) were associated with increased risk of cervical lesions. Menopause was found to be protective (vs no menopause, OR = 0.78, 95% CI: 0.65–0.94). Conclusions Married women with lower socioeconomic status had a lower prevalence of cervical lesions but had a higher prevalence of cervical cancer. Those aged 35–44 years, with high or technical secondary school level education, living at higher level regions of economic development, with abnormal leucorrhea, and who were pre-menopausal were at higher risk for cervical lesions. Cervical cancer screening and prevention for these women should be strengthened.