Publication:

Pelvic organ prolapse quantification profile of women in Ile-Ife, Nigeria: determinants and symptom correlation

Background The true incidence of pelvic organ prolapse (POP) using validated method of examination in a wider range of population of women needs evaluation in our setting. This study determined the prevalence of the different POP quantification (POPQ) stages of POP and correlated these stages with clinical symptoms alongside the determinants of POP among women in Ile-Ife, Nigeria.

Methods This was a cross-sectional study of consecutive, consenting four hundred women (aged 22-74years) attending the gynaecology, general outpatient, family planning, and well-woman clinics at Obafemi Awolowo university teaching hospitals complex, Ile-Ife, Nigeria between January 2016 and December 2016. Relevant biodata was documented in a purpose designed and pre-tested questionnaire, and the international consultation on incontinence questionnaire vaginal symptoms (ICIQ-VS) was administered. Data were analysed using IBM SPSS version 20.0. The prevalence of the different POPQ stages was determined. Logistic regression analysis was then performed to identify the significant determinants.

Results The study showed a prevalence of POPQ of 13% (stage 0), 85.3% (stage I), 1.3% (stage II) and 0.5% (stage III). Age, parity, menopausal status, chronic constipation, childbirth position, caesarean section and lifting of heavy objects were the identified significant determinants.

Conclusions There is a significant correlation between POPQ stage and the symptom ‘feeling of lump in the vagina’. Chronic constipation and lifting of heavy objects are modifiable significant risk factors in our study population.