Proceeding Mulawarman International Conference on Tropical Public Health
Vol. 2 No. 2 (2025): The 4th MICTOPH

Accuracy of Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid for Cervical Lesions: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Riswana, Faris Regi (Unknown)
Riswana, Faris Rega (Unknown)
Agustasari, Krisjentha Iffah (Unknown)
Azzahra, Nabila Khairunisa (Unknown)



Article Info

Publish Date
24 Nov 2025

Abstract

Background: Cervical cancer is the most common cancer and a main cause of death among women in low- and middle-income country. A simple screening method using Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid (VIA) has been recommended. However, the diagnostic accuracy of this test varies across populations and clinical contexts. Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of VIA compared with the gold standard (histopathology) for detecting precancerous lesions in the cervix. Research Methods: A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and ScienceDirect from 2015 to 2025 following the PRISMA guidelines. A total of 764 studies were identified and only 15 studies were included, with a total sample of 3,237. The risk of bias was assessed using the QUADAS-2. Studies reporting diagnostic outcomes (TP, FP, TN, FN) were included in this review. The data were analysed using a bivariate random-effects model with HSROC curve. Results: The overall analysis showed a pooled sensitivity of 68% (95% CI: 55–80%) and a specificity of 79% (95% CI: 66–88%), indicating moderate diagnostic accuracy across studies. The HSROC curve was positioned toward the upper-left region, reflecting higher specificity and improved model stability. Subgroup analysis revealed that VIA in HIV-negative women demonstrated the best diagnostic performance sensitivity 78%, specificity 85%. When VIA was used as a primary test, it exhibited the most balanced accuracy sensitivity 75%, specificity 80% compared with VIA as a triage test. Conclusion: VIA test demonstrates moderate diagnostic accuracy for detecting cervical precancerous lesions, the best performing in HIV-negative populations, and when used as a primary test.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

mictoph

Publisher

Subject

Public Health

Description

The Mulawarman International Conference on Tropical Public Health (MICTOPH) is an annual international conference organized by the Faculty of Public Health (FKM), Universitas Mulawarman. This event serves as a platform to gather and integrate diverse, constructive, and comprehensive ideas, concepts, ...