Abstract
A descriptive retrospective study. was conducted on adolescent girls (10 to 19 years) at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan to determine the common gynaecological conditions among these group of girls that attended gynaecological clinic of UCH between January 2000 and December 2007. Demographic characteristics including age, sex, occupation, religion, marital status and level of education were extracted from patients’ medical records and recorded on a pre-designed data sheet. Presenting complaints and the definitive diagnosis were also recorded. A total of 243 adolescents presented within the study period. The commonest gynaecological complaint was abnormal vaginal discharge (44.4%) while the least was breast lump (1.7%). The commonest gynaecological diagnosis was reproductive tract infection (62.6%), out of which sexually transmitted infections constituted 40%. Infertility (1%) was the least diagnosed condition. Other gynaecological conditions included pregnancy related complications (6.6%), sexual abuse (3.3%), menstrual abnormalities (4.5%) and dysfunctional uterine bleeding (1.7%). Gynaecological complaints were commoner among the older (15 to 19 years) than the younger (10 to 14 years) adolescents (p < 0.01). It was concluded from this study that adolescents experience various forms of
gynaecological morbidities, especially reproductive tract infections. We recommend sexual education and counselling for adolescents to help withstand peer pressure in initiating sexual activity. Pregnancy prevention programmes to encourage contraceptive use are imperative.
Keywords: Adolescent girls, gynaecological morbidities, reproductive tract infections, abnormal vaginal discharge.
Résumé
Une étude descriptive rétrospective était conduite parmi les filles adolescents de (10 - 19 ans) au centre hospitalier universitaire (UCH), Ibadan pour determine les problemes genycologiques commun parmi ces groupes qui visitaient la clinique de genycologie d’UCH entre Janvier 2000 et Décembre 2007. Les caractéristiques démographiques inclus l’âge, le sexe, l’occupation, la religion, le statut marital et niveau d’éducation étaient extrait des registres des patients et enregistres sur un fichier préconçue. Les plaintes a la présentation et le diagnostic définitif étaient enregistrées. Au total 243 adolescents étaient recrutés durant cette période. Le problème commun en gynécologie était une décharge vaginale anormale (44.4%) tandis que le moindre était les tumeurs des mamelles (1.7%). Le diagnostic gynécologique le plus commun était l’infection de la voie reproductive (62.6%), les maladies sexuellement transmissibles constituaient 40%. Infertilité (1%) était la condition la moins diagnostiquée. D’autres conditions gynécologiques incluent les complications liées a la grossesse (6.6%), l’abus sexuel (3.3%), les anormalités menstruelles (4.5%) et le saignement utérin (1.7%). Les plaintes genycologicales étaient le plus commun parmi les adolescents les plus âgés de (15 - 19 ans) que les moins âgés (10 - 14 ans) (p < 0.01). Il a été conclut de cette étude que les adolescents subissent des formes varies de souffrance gynécologiques, spécialement des infections des voies génitales. Nous recommandons une éducation sexuellement et des conseils aux adolescents pour leur aider a résister les pressions des amis a initier des activités sexuelles. Les programmes de prévention des grossesses pour encourager l’usage impérative des contraceptives.
Correspondence: Dr. A.A. Olutayo, c/o Mrs. A.O. Olutayo, Department of Pharmacy, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria. E-mail: doctordebo2003@yahoo.com
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