Visual Inspection of Cervix with Acetic Acid as a Screening Test for Premalignant and Malignant Lesions of Cervix

Aims and objectives: To compare the efficacy of VIA and Pap smear for detection of premalignant and malignant lesions of cervix. Materials and methods: Two hundred and forty women atten­ ding outpatient department of obstetrics and gynecology were subjected to detailed history taking, clinical examination, Pap smear and VIA, and biopsies were indicated. Results: Of 240 patients, 27 patients (11.3%) were Pap posi­ tive and 28 patients (11.7%) were VIA positive. A total of 39 patients in whom either test was positive, had undergone cervical biopsy. Sensitivity of VIA and Pap smear was 92 and 84% respectively and specificity of VIA and Pap smear was 64.3 and 57% respectively. Conclusion: The study concluded that sensitivity of VIA is comparable to Pap. Therefore, VIA is an efficacious and cost­ effective method to screen premalignant and malignant lesions of cervix, especially in developing countries like ours.