Prevalence and determinants of utero-vaginal prolase in southern Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Utero-vaginal (u-v) prolapse is primarily a disease of the parous and often elderly post-menopausal women. The number of ageing women appears to be increasing in proportion due to the increasing life expectancy. Methods: This was a retrospective review of the service delivery records (case notes, ward and Theater records) of 21 women who presented with u-v prolapse at the gynaecological unit of University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital over a 5-year period. Results: The incidence of u-v prolapse is 1.6% per total number of patients who underwent major gynecological surgeries. The leading determinants of u-v prolapse were – multiparity, difficult delivery, menopause, ageing and physically exerting occupations. Others were no formal education or low levels of education and diet. Conclusion: We recommend that there is a need for public health education geared towards enlightening the populace on the need for antenatal care and supervised hospital delivery, reduced family size, improved nutrition, and the need for hormone replacement therapy for post-menopausal women particularly high parity individuals. Finally, female education should be given priority attention.

Key words: Determinants, utero-vaginal prolapse, Southern
Nigeria