Prevalence and Associated Factors of Utero-Vaginal Prolapse in AddisAbaba, Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Abstract Background: Uterovaginal prolapse (UVP) is a major women’s health concern throughout the world. Globally, 2-20% of all women are affected by UVP. The mean prevalence of pelvic organ prolapse in developing countries is 19.7%. The prevalence of UVP in Ethiopia is 18.55% among all gynecological operations. UVP is a source of severe morbidity and psychological upheaval to the patient, who is often socially withdrawn and stigmatized. UVP negatively affects socioeconomic and reproductive activity of affected women. It is, therefore, of interest to study its prevalence and factors associated with the condition.Methodology: Institution-based retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted in selected Addis Ababa city governmental hospitals and the medical record charts of women admitted in the respective gynecology wards were reviewed. The medical records included in this study were those from March 2017 to February 2019 G.C. and 400 records of admitted women were randomly selected. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 24 statistical package. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were carried out to determine factors associated with UVP. A p-value < 0.05 was considered as significant.Result: Out of the3,949 admitted women, the prevalence of UVP was 12.8%. The leading determinants of UVP were menopause (OR = 2.611 (at 95 % CI: 1.531, 3.838), age > 40 years (OR = 2.143 (at 95 % CI:1.496, 6.602), parity of > 4 (OR = 4.201 (at 95 % CI 1.652, 10.685), age at first delivery of < 20 years old (OR = 7.988(2.682, 23.792) and home delivery (OR = 1.380 (at 95 % CI:1.212, 2.572). Conclusion: The prevalence of UVP in this study was relatively high. The major risk factors of UVP were menopause, having > 4 deliveries, age > 40 years, age at first delivery < 20 years old and home delivery. Therefore, the findings of this investigation, especially identification of risk factors of UVP, could serve as a basis for taking steps for preventing or reducing the prevalence of UVP and related complications.