Prevalence and Management of Uterine Fibroids among Women of Reproductive Age at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital, Kisumu

Abstract

Uterine fibroids are benign tumours of smooth muscles of the uterus. Globally, uterine fibroids are a burden among women of reproductive age, mainly affecting women of African descent. Few researches have been done on uterine fibroids in Kenya, specifically, none at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH). This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and management of uterine fibroids among women of reproductive age admitted to a gynaecological ward at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital. The study used a descriptive cross-sectional design with a sample of 67 files of women of reproductive age with a diagnosis of uterine fibroids. A purposive sampling technique was used. Files of patients diagnosed with fibroids were chosen from all the files of the women admitted within the period of study. Data was collected by retrospective review of medical records obtained from files in the JOOTRH records department. Data analysis was done using descriptive statistics. The findings revealed a prevalence of 4% of uterine fibroids in the gynaecological ward. The prevalence was highest between 35-39 years at 31% and lowest between 20-24 years at 9%. Moreover, prevalence among nulliparous women was highest at 27%. The most common symptoms were vaginal bleeding and lower abdominal pain at 33%. The most common treatment modalities used were Total Abdominal Hysterectomy (TAH) at 42%, Myomectomy at 27%, conservative management at 22%, Transvaginal hysterectomy at 4%, TAH + Bilateral salpingectomy at 3%, and Subtotal hysterectomy at 2%. Our study revealed that the majority of the cases were among nulliparous women and of age between 35-39 years, with TAH being the most common treatment modality at JOOTRH