An Optical Machine Vision System for Applications in Cytopathology

This paper discusses a new approach to the processes of object detection, recognition and classification in a digital image focusing on problem in Cytopathology. A unique self learning procedure is presented in order to incorporate expert knowledge. The classification method is based on the application of a set of features which includes fractal parameters such as the Lacunarity and Fourier dimension. Thus, the approach includes the characterisation of an object in terms of its fractal properties and texture characteristics. The principal issues associated with object recognition are presented which include the basic model and segmentation algorithms. The self-learning procedure for designing a decision making engine using fuzzy logic and membership function theory is also presented and a novel technique for the creation and extraction of information from a membership function considered. The methods discussed and the algorithms developed have a range of applications and in this work, we focus the engineering of a system for automating a Papanicolaou screening test

Factors Influencing Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia and Cervical Cancer Development among Women in Lokoja, North Central Nigeria

Cervical cancer is increasingly becoming a high cause of cancer deaths in Nigeria; it has a high prevalence in Nigeria, as it is the case in most developing countries. This study was aimed at screening for Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia (CIN) using Papanicolaou screening procedure, and identifying the influencing factors amongst women in Lokoja, North central Nigeria. This was a cross sectional study involving women between the ages of 16-65 years, selected through convenience sampling of patients and staff that attended the Federal Medical Centre. Interviewer- administered questionnaire and clinical report form were also used to collect data, and data was analyzed using correlational analysis. Results showed that of the 203 women in the study, 193 (95.07%) had normal cytology (they were negative for intraepithelial lesion or malignancy), while 10 (4.93%) women had CIN. Socio-demographic characteristics showed that there were significant relationships between the age of the correspondents and the development of CIN (p = 0.015), significant association was also obtained between male partner circumcision (p=0.0262), coitarche (p=0.0046), parity (p=0.0019), alcohol usage (p=0.0026), age of first pregnancy (p=0.0326), use of steroid contraceptive (p=0.0104), number of sexual partners (p=0.0001) and the development of CIN. CIN present were low grade squamous intraepithelial lesions, atypical squamous cell of uncertain significance, and squamous cell carcinoma. The major risk factors associated with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia development indicated in this study include; parity, alcohol usage and multiple sexual partners

Vaccine

State immunization and cancer registries contain data that, if linked, could be used to monitor the impact of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine on cervical cancer and precancer. Michigan is uniquely positioned to examine these outcomes using two population-based resources: the state-wide cancer registry and immunization information system (IIS). We assessed the feasibility of identifying females in the IIS who had continuous Michigan residence and linking them to the cancer registry. We considered continuous residence necessary for future studies of vaccine impact to avoid misclassifying those who may have been immunized while residing out-of-state and whose immunization therefore may not have been reported in Michigan. We identified females with 1976-1996 birthdates in the IIS and used probabilistic linkage software to match them with Michigan birth records. A stratified random sample of IIS-birth matches was provided to a commercial locator service to identify females with continuous Michigan residence. Cervical carcinoma in situ cases diagnosed in 2006 among females aged 10 through 30 years were also matched with the birth records; cancer registry-birth matches were merged with the IIS-birth matches using the birth record identifier. Overall, 68% of the 1274,282 IIS and 61% of the 1358 cancer registry records could be matched with birth records. Among the sample of IIS-birth matches, most (86%) were continuous residents. Seventy percent or more of cancer registry-birth matches merged with IIS-birth matches for cases born after 1984. This is the first effort in the U.S. to show that linking records across IIS and cancer registries is practical and reasonably efficient. The increasing proportion of matches between the registries and live birth file with birth year, and the use of population-based data, strengthen the utility of this approach. Future steps include use of this method to examine incidence of cervical cancer precursors in HPV immunization-eligible females.20152019-12-19T00:00:00ZCC999999/Intramural CDC HHS/United States1U58DP003921/DP/NCCDPHP CDC HHS/United StatesU58 DP000812/DP/NCCDPHP CDC HHS/United StatesU58 DP003921/DP/NCCDPHP CDC HHS/United States5U58DP000812/DP/NCCDPHP CDC HHS/United States25573038PMC69214856997vault:3427

Papanicolau screening test practices in health professionals

A abordagem mais efetiva para a redução da morbidade e mortalidade do câncer de colo uterino é o rastreamento por citologia cervical (Papanicolaou). Este estudo transversalteve como objetivo avaliar a realização e o conhecimento sobre o teste de Papanicolaou em auxiliares de enfermagem. Os indivíduos foram selecionados de modo aleatório entre profissionais que trabalham no Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, com idade entre 40 e 69 anos. Foi aplicado um questionário semi-estruturado em 95 auxiliares de enfermagem (média de idade - 46,7 anos, desvio-padrão - 5,5). Noventa mulheres(94,7%) haviam realizado o teste como rastreamento. Quanto à finalidade do exame, somente 39 (41,0%) apontaram a detecção ou a prevenção do câncer de colo de útero. Por outro lado, 91 das (95,8%) auxiliares acreditam que o Papanicolaou deveria ser colhido com periodicidademenor ou igual a 1 ano, e 45 (47,4%) com seis meses ou menos. Conclusão: Apesar da maioria das auxiliares de enfermagem terem conhecimento parcial a respeito da finalidade do Papanicolaou, a prática deste teste é mais elevada do que na população geral. Além disso, essas profissionais de saúde consideram que a freqüência de realização do exame deveria ser bem maior do que a preconizada. Pap test is the most effective approach to reduce mortality and morbidity of uterine cervix cancer. The objective of this transversal study is to evaluate the knowledge about Pap test and its practice among nurse assistants. The study sample was randomized from female employees of Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, aged 40-69 years-old. A semi-structured questionnaire was used in 95 nurse assistants (mean age: 46.7 ; SD: 5.5). Ninety (94.7%) women reported having practiced Pap screening test. Regarding the knowledge about the purpose of the test, only 39 (41.0%) referred the detection or prevention of uterine cervical cancer. On the other hand, 91 (95.8%) of the nurse assistants believe the ideal periodicity for Pap smear should be 1 year or less, and 45 (47.4%) said that it should be done every 6 months. Conclusions: Despite the fact that most nurse assistants do not know exactly about thepurpose of Pap test, their practice is greater than in general population. These health professionals also believe that the frequency of the test is much higher than the one preconized in the medical literature

Matern Child Health J

Cervical cancer mortality is high along the US-Mexico border. We describe the prevalence of a recent Papanicolaou screening test (Pap) among US and Mexican border women. We analyzed 2006 cross-sectional data from Mexico's National Survey of Health and Nutrition and the US Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. Women aged 20-77\ua0years in 44 US border counties (n\ua0=\ua01,724) and 80 Mexican border municipios (n\ua0=\ua01,454) were studied. We computed weighted proportions for a Pap within the past year by age, education, employment, marital status, health insurance, health status, risk behaviors, and ethnicity and adjusted prevalence ratios (APR) for the US, Mexico, and the region overall. Sixty-five percent (95\ua0%CI 60.3-68.6) of US women and 32\ua0% (95\ua0%CI 28.7-35.2) of Mexican women had a recent Pap. US residence (APR\ua0=\ua02.01, 95\ua0%CI 1.74-2.33), marriage (APR\ua0=\ua01.31, 95\ua0%CI 1.17-1.47) and insurance (APR\ua0=\ua01.38, 95\ua0%CI 1.22-1.56) were positively associated with a Pap test. Among US women, insurance and marriage were associated (APR\ua0=\ua01.21, 95\ua0%CI 1.05-1.38 and 1.33, 95\ua0%CI 1.10-1.61, respectively), and women aged 20-34\ua0years were about 25\ua0% more likely to have received a test than older women. Insurance and marriage were also positively associated with Pap testing among Mexican women (APR\ua0=\ua01.39, 95\ua0%CI 1.17-1.64 and 1.50; 95\ua0%CI 1.23-1.82, respectively), as were lower levels of education ( 648th grade or 9th-12th grade versus some college) (APR\ua0=\ua01.74; 95\ua0%CI 1.21-2.52 and 1.60; 95\ua0%CI 1.03-2.49, respectively). Marriage and insurance were associated with a recent Pap test on both sides of the border. Binational insurance coverage increases and/or cost reductions might bolster testing among unmarried and uninsured women, leading to earlier cervical cancer diagnosis and potentially lower mortality.20122015-08-13T00:00:00Z5U38HM000414/HM/NCHM CDC HHS/United StatesIGC4/Intramural CDC HHS/United States22965734PMC4535702691

Our Health Matters: Promoting the Health of Sexual Minority Women in the New Media Landscape

The shifts occurring in the mediascape and the field of public health offer new opportunities for promoting the health and wellness of sexual minority women. As a population that has historically been underserved by the healthcare system, sexual minority women face multiple barriers to achieving positive health outcomes. They are often less likely to access preventive healthcare services and more likely to engage in risky behaviors that are detrimental to health than heterosexual women. Despite the significant health disparities among sexual minority women, studying this population has not been a priority in health research and there is little research-based evidence to guide patient-provider communication or health interventions. Public health and LGBT advocates have called for further health research on sexual minority women, funding and advocacy to promote their health, and education for healthcare providers on how to provide preventive health services in a way that is sensitive to the unique needs of this population. This research project is situated at the intersections of new media, gender studies, and health communication. A non-probability study of sexual minority women in the U.S. was conducted in order to plan and implement a Web-based health communication campaign in Colorado that encourages preventive health practices among sexual minority women. This paper assesses the ways in which new media can best be leveraged to improve the health outcomes of this population

Albania Reproductive Health Survey 2002

The 2002 Albania RHS covers: fertility trends and levels, maternal and child health, awareness and use of contraceptives, reproductive health, health behaviors, knowledge of HIV/AIDS transmission and prevention, young adults, and violence against women. (Includes independent sample of males 15-49