Pelvic organ prolapse in rural Ghana

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.