Socio-Economic factors impact prevalence of Pelvic Organ Prolapse in Malwa Region, Central India; An observational study

Abstract

Background:  Causes and risk factors for uterine prolapse are complex and deeply embedded in the cultural, economic and social conditions of women. This study aimed to assess the socio-demographic factors among patients with pelvic organ prolapse and risk factors responsible for etiology and its impact on reporting to medical facility.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 150 women visiting gynecology outdoor. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to obtain socio-demographic data and prolapse related data by face-to-face interview. Age, parity, occupation, educational, income, mode of delivery, place of delivery and resumption of work after delivery was studied.

Results: Prevalence of prolapse was 35.3% amongst all gynecological conditions. The mean age of participants was 45.27(+_5) years. Age more than 45 was related to prolapse than age less than 45 (OR 0.463, 95% CI 0.230-0.932, p=0.031). Prolapse was associated with multiparity  (OR 0.238, 95% CI 0.114-0.495, p=0.000). Age 18 or more at first delivery had more risk of developing prolapse (p=0.000). Majority of women with prolapse were illiterate (p=0.028) and belong to class IV of socioeconomic status ( p=0.015).

Conclusion: Woman’s age more than 45, agriculture labourer, age more than 18 at first delivery, class IV socioeconomic status, BMI more than 25, multiparity are significantly associated as risk factor for prolapse. The number of pelvic organ prolapse surgery increased four times in this setting with medical facility free of cost which was not there before when hospital was a paid institute.