PREVALENCE OF LEIOMYOMA UTERI AMONG FERTILITY-CHALLENGED WOMEN IN ONITSHA METROPOLIS

Abstract

Background: Infertility is a medical condition of the reproductive system, defined as the failure
to achieve successful pregnancy after one year of unprotected sex. Uterine leiomyoma are the
most common pelvic neoplasms affecting women. The clinical presentations of leiomyoma are
variable and depend on the size and number of leiomyoma and the location of fibroids within the
uterus. To evaluate the prevalence of leiomyoma among fertility-challenged women in Onitsha
metropolis, Anambra State.
Materials and methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 500 women with
fertility-challenge using ultrasound as the imaging modality after obtaining ethical approval
from the Human Research and Ethical Committee of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Hospital,
Nnewi. All the women were scanned using standard protocol and procedures for performing
pelvic ultrasound with emphasis on the uterus and adnexae to determine the presence or
otherwise of uterine fibroid masses. Data such as age, number, sizes, positions and location of
fibroid masses were obtained using data captured sheet. Descriptive and inferential statistics
were performed and the level of significance was set at p < 0.05.
Results: Out of 500 women, 36.4% (n=182) had uterine fibroids. There was a prevalence rate of
36.4%. The majority 56.59% (n=103) of those that had fibroid were within the age group of 31-
40 years and the least 19.78% (n=36) were those within the age group of 41-50years. Out of the
401 fibroids identified, the majority 46.63% (n= 187) have sizes of 61mm and above and the
least 2.74% (n= 11) had size of ≤ 20mm. Also, out of 182 women that had uterine fibroids,
greater number 45.6% (n=83) had multiple numbers of fibroid and the least 24.18% (n=44) had
double numbers of fibroid. The highest number 46.13% (n= 185) of fibroid was in the anterior
position and the least 0.25% (n=1) was in the postero-fundal position. Large proportion 68.58%
(n=275) were located in the intramural, followed by those located in the submucosal 15.46%
(n=62) and the least 1.49% (n=6) were located in the intracavity. There were no statistically
significant correlations of age with fibroid size (r= 0.635, p = 0.09), number of fibroid(r= 0.341,
p = 0.24), positions (r= 0.427, p = 0.07) and locations (r= 0.616, p= 0.18).
Conclusion: The prevalence of fibroid in the study population is low. The fibroids were found at
various positions and anatomical locations with majority in the anterior wall and intramural
respectively. The age of the women did not have any significant impact on the number, sizes,
position and locations of the fibroids.