Early-onset of sexual activity as a potential risk of cervical cancer in Africa
A review of literature
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 19590988 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Alemayehu Gonie Mekonnen (0000-0002-2144-6429, Debre Berhan University, corresponding author), Yohannes Moges Mittiku (0000-0002-6565-8714, Debre Berhan University, corresponding author) |
| Editors | Ditte S Linde |
| Year | 2023 |
| Volume | 3 |
| Issue | 3 |
| Pages | e0000941 |
| Publication date | 2023-03-22 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | PLOS Global Public Health (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 2767-3375 • E-ISSN: 2767-3375 |
| Publisher | Public Library of Science (PLoS) (PUBLISHER) |
| DOI | 10.1371/journal.pgph.0000941 |
| PMID | 36962975 |
| OpenAlex | W4353041986 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 2 |
| References cited | 52 |
Introduction In most African countries, cervical cancer is the most common cancer among women, both in terms of incidence and fatality. In the existing literature, age is risk factor for developing cervical cancer since it occurs mainly after the middle life of women. However, there have been contradictory findings in the literature on whether early sexual intercourse is linked to cervical cancer, with some studies indicating no relationship and others reporting an increased risk. Hence, this review analyzed data from recently published studies on cervical cancer. Methods Seven databases (MEDLINE via PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, Medscape, EMBASE, African Journals Online and Science Direct) were searched for papers published from January 2000 to March 2022 in English. Ten studies were included in analysis. The statistical analysis was performed using STATA 11. Heterogeneity between-study was explored by forest plot and inconsistency index (I 2 ). The publication bias was checked by a funnel plot and Egger’s test. The pooled estimates of odds ratios were calculated by a random-effects model. Results In the subgroup analysis, there was no significant association between early sexual activity and cervical cancer. However, the overall pooled analysis of these ten studies revealed that there is an association between early sexual debut and cervical cancer. In the random effect model, we found a pooled odds ratio of 2.95 (95% CI = 1.06, 4.83), indicating that women who began sexual intercourse before the age of 18 had a higher risk of getting cervical cancer than adult women. Conclusion In this analysis, women who began having early sexual debut had a greater risk of developing cervical cancer than those who initiated sexual intercourse later in life. Delaying the age of first sexual activity among adolescents could help prevent the occurrence of cervical cancer
Cancer · Cervical cancer · Forest plot · Funnel plot · Gynecology · Meta-analysis · Obstetrics · Odds ratio · Publication bias · Subgroup analysis · Cervical Cancer and HPV Research · Demography · Endometrial and Cervical Cancer Treatments · Global Cancer Incidence and Screening · Medicine · Internal Medicine
Measuring inconsistency in meta-analyses
The PRISMA 2020 statement
The Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT) version 2018 for information professionals and researchers
Characterization of women with cervical cancer assisted at Inca by histological type
Age at menarche and its relationship to body mass index among adolescent girls in Kuwait
Prevalence and risk factors for cervical neoplasia
Determinants of sexual activity and its relation to cervical cancer risk among South African Women
Cervical cancer
| Citations per year | 0.67 |
|---|---|
| Citation span | 2023 - 2024 (2) |
| Highly cited | No |