Report on a cryotherapy service for women with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia in a district hospital in western Kenya

Background: In low-resource settings, cryotherapy can be cost-effective, affordable, and a first-line treatment for cervical intraepithelial neplasia (CIN) of any grade.

Objectives: To report the acceptability, safety and effectiveness of cryotherapy for women with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) in Western Kenya.

Methods: Visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA)-positive women and those suspected of having cervical cancer based on an initial evaluation at a primary health facility were referred to the district hospital for colposcopy and additional evaluation using visual inspection with Lugol's iodine (VILI) and/or visual inspection with acetic acid and magnification (VIAM). Cryotherapy was offered immediately to women diagnosed with appropriate CIN lesions based on colposcopy or after waiting for a confirmatory cervical biopsy and a follow up visit occurred one year later.

Results: Ninety one 91 women 30 to 39 years of age had CIN appropriate for cryotherapy. Approximately 36% (24/67) were due for their 1 year follow up visit and 20 of 24 (83.3%) attended. Complete data were available for 18 of 20 (90%) and 13 (72.2%) had no sign of CIN. No serious adverse events were reported 1 to 3 months after cryotherapy. All respondents reported that the treatment experience was acceptable.

Conclusions: Cryotherapy was acceptable, safe and effective.