Determinants of Pelvic Organ Prolapse among Gynecological Cases in Wolaita Sodo University Referral Teaching Hospital, Southern Ethiopia: A Case Control Study

Abstract

Background: Pelvic organ prolapse is the down ward descent of female pelvic organs including the bladder, small and large bowel resulting in protrusion of the vagina, uterus or both. Most women are unwilling to discuss this problem with each other and even with health professionals. This study aimed to assess factors affecting pelvic organ prolapse among gynecologic cases in Wolaita Sodo University Referral Teaching Hospital. Methods: An institutional based case-control study was conducted from June, 2013 to August 30/2013 in Wolaita Sodo University Referral   Teaching Hospital. A total sample size of   318, women with vaginal prolapse as a case (n=159) and women’s without vaginal prolapse as control (n=159) were used. Data were entered into EPI Info version 3.22 and exported, cleaned, edited and analyzed in SPSS version 16.0. Odds ratios in binary and multivariate logistic regression model along with 95% confidence interval were used. Results: In this study there was significant difference among cases of Pelvic organ prolapse and their control in past obstetric history. Age at first marriage, parity and, place of delivery were statistically associated with pelvic organ prolapse (AOR=11.6; 95% CI: 4.29- 31.33), (AOR=3.05; 95% CI: 1.67- 5.6) and (AOR=8.5; 95% CI: 3.8-19.3) respectively. Likewise, marriage before age of 15, gravid above three, home delivery and prolonged labor were statistically associated with pelvic organ prolapse. Conclusion: Early marriage, early child birth, multi-parity, home delivery and prolonged labor were the risk factor for pelvic organ prolapse. Moreover, chronic constipation, chronic cough and heavy weight lifting were also significant predictors of pelvic organ prolapse. Hence, different stake holders, programmers and implementers should aggressively take responsibility to prevent early marriage, train health professionals to encourage women to use family planning and institutional delivery was recommended.

Keywords:  Pelvic organ prolapse, early child birth, parity, Wolaita, Ethiopia