Age Prevalence of Leiomyoma Uteri; a Histopathologic Study

Abstract

Introduction: This was a retrospective study to demonstrate the age prevalence of uterine fibroid cases diagnosed in a peripheral health facility within a ten year period with a view to improving available demographic health data in Nigeria. Results: Records obtained from the University of Benin Teaching Hospital showed that the commonest age of occurrence within the period was within the 31-40 year interval (44.41%) except in 2003 were 41-50 year interval predominated. While 29.42% occurred in within the fifth decade, 18.48% occurred in the 21-30 age interval. Only 0.87%, 6.34% and 0.48% occurred in the second, sixth and seventh decades of life. There was an observed significant relationship between age and the prevalence of uterine fibroids during the entire period of study (p<0.01) x2=89.54; DF=50. Conclusion: Fibroids are common in Africans especially in early adulthood (the working class), the opinion canvassed in this study therefore is that concerned authorities should direct adequate resources towards managing symptomatic patients at a subsidized rates.