Review of Gynaecological Diagnoses and Surgeries Performed at a Tertiary Health Facility in Niger-Delta of Nigeria from 2012-2017: Implications for Healthcare Planning and Budgeting

Background: Gynaecological disorders are a particularly common cause of morbidity and mortality among women of reproductive age and a common cause of hospital presentation/admission and surgery.

Objective: This study sought to review gynaecological diagnoses and surgeries performed in a tertiary health facility from 2012 to 2017 and its implication for healthcare planning and budgeting.

Methodology: This was a retrospective review of all gynaecological diagnoses and surgeries seen in the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (RSUTH) from 2012 to 2017. Data were retrieved using a proforma comprising of year, gynaecological diagnosis and gynaecological surgeries. Data obtained was entered into Microsoft Excel for descriptive analysis.

Results: The proportion of clinic attendees declined from an average of 23% in the first three years (2012-2014) to about 10% in the last three years (2015-2017). The most common gynaecological diagnosis were uterine fibroid (33.3%), infertility 28.1% (primary 5.7%, secondary 22.4%), PID (5.9%), ovarian tumour (4.2%), secondary amenorrhea (3.4%) and pelvic malignancies (3.4%). The commonest major surgeries were myomectomy 441(33.7%), salpingectomy 345(26.4%), hysterectomy 168(12.8%) and cervical cerclage 122(9.3%). The commonest minor surgeries were manual vacuum aspiration 314(41.0%), examination under anaesthesia and biopsy 110(14.3%) and adhesiolysis for synechiae 97(12.6%). The duo of uterine fibroid and infertility made up 50%-70% of all gynaecological diagnoses.

Conclusion: This study showed that there has been a steady decline in gynaecological consultations over the years. However, the duo of uterine fibroid and infertility made up half to three-quarter of all gynaecological diagnoses over the 6 years. Infertility and uterine fibroids have a long cause and effect association. Healthcare policies and budgeting should be increased towards tackling these conditions, especially the setting up of a fertility center to provide assisted reproductive technologies and laparoscopy to improve practice and patient outcome.