[Risk factors for cervical intraepithelial lesions among beneficiaries of second-level care]

Cervical cancer (CC) is a major public health problem, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Although human papillomavirus (HPV) is the main causal agent, the relevance of various risk factors varies by context.

To identify familial, sociodemographic, behavioral, and sexual history factors associated with squamous intraepithelial lesions (SIL) in women attending the Opportunistic Cervical Cancer Screening Program in the Regional Hospital with Family Medicine Unit No. 32 in Minatitlán, Veracruz, Mexico.

An observational case-control study (1:2) was conducted in women aged 25-60 years with available cytology results. An anonymous questionnaire was applied, and data were analyzed using comparison tests and odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI).

A total of 119 women (37 cases, 82 controls) were included. No significant differences were found between groups for age, age at first intercourse, number of pregnancies, sexual partners, contraceptive use, or smoking. A strong association was found between the presence of SIL and a history of abnormal cytology (crude OR 2916; corrected OR 1322), as well as between SIL and a family history of cervical cancer (OR 2.73). Specific sexual practices showed no association.

Some factors considered risk factors showed no association in this population. This highlights the importance of follow-up for abnormal cytology and the need for further longitudinal studies with context-sensitive approaches.