Abstract

Myomas are smooth, non-cancerous tumors that may develop in or around the uterus (Mayo clinic, 2022). Made partly of muscle tissue, myomas seldom develop in the cervix, but when they do, there are usually myomas in the larger, upper part of the uterus as well Despite the fact that their cause is still unknown, yet there is considerable evidence that estrogens and progestogens proliferate tumor growth, as the fibroids rarely appear before menarche and regress after menopause (Charlie C. Kilipatrick, 2021).

Uterine myomas is faced by many women of child bearing age and hence there is a need to investigate its prevalence as well as educating and teaching the women on the causes, diagnoses, treatments and effects.

This procedure was carried out using a table where women of child bearing ages who had myomas were marked present and those who did not have were marked absent. This was a retrospective study with results of 300 women of child bearing age who did pelvic scan at Trans plant Cameroon, Mutengene.

Out of this number, the highest age group of women were of age group 26 – 30 with a percentage of 5.0% (15) while the least age group was 15 – 20 with a percentage of 0.6% (02). However, of the 300 participants, 47 of these women were diagnosed with uterine myoma by ultrasound giving a prevalence of 15.6%. Of this study, The most common type of myoma as per this study was intramural with a frequency of 33%. More women of child bearing age within the age group 26 to 30 years presented with myoma. The prevalence of uterine fibroid as observed in this study (15.7%) is relatively high.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Myomas are smooth, non-cancerous tumors that may develop in or around the uterus (Mayo clinic, 2022). Made partly of muscle tissue, myomas seldom develop in the cervix, but when they do, there are usually myomas in the larger, upper part of the uterus as well Despite the fact that their cause is still unknown, yet there is considerable evidence that estrogens and progestogens proliferate tumor growth, as the fibroids rarely appear before menarche and regress after menopause (Charlie C. Kilipatrick, 2021).

Uterine fibroids are the most common benign tumors in women and the leading indication for hysterectomies, nevertheless, epidemiological data on fibroid prevalence and incidence are limited and reliable population-based research is lacking.

Available data are difficult to compare due to differences in the study population and screening methods. The majority of women with uterine fibroids are asymptomatic, consequently get less clinical attention and fibroid tumors often remain undiagnosed.

Symptomatic women typically complain about abnormal uterine bleeding, specifically in terms of heavy and prolonged bleeding. In a study of Anne Zimmermann et al. (2004), women with myomas were more likely to report a “gushing”-type of bleeding and high pad/tampon use than women without myomas. Additionally, women with uterine fibroids may suffer more often from dyspareunia and non-cyclic pelvic pain. Although bleeding and pelvic pain symptoms are frequently reported in

literature as main symptoms related to uterine fibroids, the number of systematic studies on fibroid symptoms is limited. Parity and smoking may also protect from developing uterine myomas (Lauren et al., 2004). These results suggest that uterine fibroids are quite common among women in reproductive age of 15 – 45 (Xiaoxiao C., 2013).

The results of the study are not directly comparable to other epidemiological studies due to the fact that the diagnosis has not been clinically proven by ultrasonography or other tests. Despite, it fits in the range of 5% to 21% of other epidemiological prevalence data. The results demonstrated that the self-reported prevalence of uterine fibroids increased by age, reaching 14.1% in the age group of 40+ years. Findings are consistent with other studies.

1.2 Problem Statement

Uterine myoma is a situation faced by many women of child bearing age but may at times be asymptomatic and go undiagnosed while others neglect its treatment thinking it is something normal therefore, there is a need to investigate it’s prevalence amongst them as well educating and teaching them on the benefits of the diagnoses, causes, treatments and effects.

1.3 Hypothesis

The prevalence of uterine myomas among women of child bearing age diagnosed by ultrasound at TRANS PLANT CAMEROON is low.

1.4 Objectives

1.4.1 General Objective

To assess the prevalence of uterine myoma among women of child bearing age at TRANS PLANT CAMEROON, MUTENGENE.

1.4.2 Specific Objectives

1. To examine the various types of uterine myoma among women of child bearing age at the TRANS PLANT CAMEROON, MUTENGENE.
2. To know the most predominate type of myoma among women of childbearing age at the TRANSPLANT CAMEROON, MUTENGENE
3. To bring out the various clinical indications of uterine myoma among women of childbearing age at TRANS PLANT CAMEROON, MUTENGENE.

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