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. 2008 Nov;103(2):121-4.
doi: 10.1016/j.ijgo.2008.06.014. Epub 2008 Aug 27.

Pelvic organ prolapse in rural Ghana

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Pelvic organ prolapse in rural Ghana

Osei K Wusu-Ansah et al. Int J Gynaecol Obstet. 2008 Nov.

Abstract

Objective: To determine the prevalence of pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and its impact on the lives of women in Sekyidumasi, a rural Ghanaian community.

Methods: A cross-sectional study of 200 women was performed using a questionnaire and pelvic examination to detect symptoms and signs of prolapse. Main outcome measures were the presence of POP and its impact on quality of life.

Results: Out of 174 women included in the study, 21 women (12.07%) had POP. Seventeen of these women (81%) were symptomatic, of which only 6 women (35.3%) had sought treatment because of financial constraints. The odds of prolapse increased with increasing parity (P=0.02) and age (P<0.01). The main impacts of prolapse were on emotional well-being (52.4%), the women's relationship with their partner (46.2%), and sex life (25%).

Conclusion: Only about one-third of women with symptomatic prolapse sought treatment because the cost of medical care outweighed the impact of the condition on their lives.

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