Anatomical location of uterine fibroids among women attending a tertiary health facility in a southern Nigerian population

Abstract

Uterine fibroids are benign monoclonal tumours of the smooth muscle cells of the uterus and usually occur during reproductive age. Studies have revealed that it is more prone to women of African descent and the major factors responsible for this occurrence is yet to be accurately discovered. The study determined prevalence, sonographic location, and type of uterine fibroid among women undergoing ultrasound scan in Radiology Department of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital. The research was a retrospective study conducted from August to October 2019. Study population was 271 and included all consenting females within ages 18-55 years undergoing ultrasound scan at the study centre. Primary data was collected by direct interview using data collection sheet, parameters retrieved included age, marital status, parity and history of previous surgery, while secondary data collected from the Unit register and We extracted information about, presence, number and location of the fibroids from participant’ medical records. This was done for only women with confirmed cases of uterine fibroids. Analysis of data was done using SPSS version 22 and presented in diagrams, tables, figures and charts where appropriate. Point Prevalence was found to be 33.9%, respondents within ages 31 to 35 years (26.4%) presented with the highest prevalence of fibroid. Multiple fibroids with two or more nodules were found to be the most common from ultrasound scan (64.8%). In terms of types, intramural had the highest occurrence at 61.9%. Tumours are most frequently located in the anterior wall of the uterus (14.4%). Type and location of fibroid was seen to be mostly intramural and on the anterior wall of the uterus, respectively. This study found prevalence of uterine fibroid to be 33.9%, also nulliparous women were found to have the highest incidence of uterine fibroids. The point prevalence value for the study population is high, therefore, we suggest that awareness campaign be increased in the region