Introduction: cervical cancer is a major public
health problem among women in sub-Saharan
Africa. The disease can be controlled through early
diagnosis through simple cost-effective methods
such as visual inspection of the cervix after
application of acetic acid or lugol´s iodine. However,
screening for cervical cancer is still underused
particularly in rural areas of Burkina Faso. The
objective was to estimate the prevalence of cervical
pre-cancer cancer in rural health district of Boussé,
Burkina Faso. Methods: we conducted a crosssectional study in the health district of Boussé in
Northern-Central Burkina Faso from July to August
2014. Women aged 23-50 years were interviewed
about their knowledge of cervical cancer and their
screening practice and subsequently screened for
cervical cancer by VIA. Results: a total of 418
participants were included with a median age of 34
years IQR (30-40 years). Two² hundred participants
(48%) had never heard about cervical cancer. About
134 participants (32%) knew at least one risk factor
of cervical cancer. Only 37 women (9%) reported
ever being screened for cervical cancer. Twenty-two
percent reported concurrent sexual partnerships.
The majority of the women (92%) are willing to pay
to get screened for cervical pre-cancer by VIA.
Overall, 21 participants (5%) were diagnosed with a
cervical lesion by VIA and all of them accepted
treatment with Loop electro surgical procedure.
Conclusion: screening by VIA is feasible in rural
Burkina Faso, but there is a poor knowledge on
cervical cancer amongst the women. There is a need
to set up a comprehensive, systematic, affordable
and efficient cervical cancer program including an
information campaign and making screening
accessible in rural remote areas.

Cervical pre cancer, screening, rural women, Burkina Faso