INCIDENCE OF COEXISTENCE OF FIBROID WITH PREGNANCY  AMONG WOMEN USING PORT HARCOURT AS CASE STUDY

ABSTRACT Visualization 1: Uterine fibroids also known as leiomyoma are benign smooth muscle tumors of the uterus, they do not metastasize (invade neighbouring healthy tissues) and are non-cancerous. The study aimed to determine the incidence of coexistence of fibroid with pregnancy among women in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. To execute this work a retrospective approach was used in which case files of women with coexisting fibroid with pregnancy from 2012-2016 were retrieved and reviewed from the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital and grouped into age of the women, the year case was reported and type of fibroid that coexisted. Also, a descriptive survey with a structured questionnaire was distributed to women in Portharourt. 322 data were collected and analyzed using simple arithmetic tools (percentage, mean, median, variance, standard deviation) and a t-test was used to test for hypothesis. The results were presented in tables, pie, and bar charts. It was observed that the incidence rate of coexisting fibroid with pregnancy among women in Portharcourt was 0.08%. The highest incidence rate was recorded in 2016 (32.92%) and the lowest was in 2013 (11.18%) it increased in 2014(16.77%) and further in 2015(22.98%) and then highest in 2016. It was observed that most women who develop coexisting fibroid with pregnancy are between ages 35-39(45.96%) and at least ages 25-29(16.46%). The mean age of the women is 34.21. The most common type of fibroid that occurred was the intramural type of fibroid (39%) and the least was the cervical one (4%). It can be concluded that based on findings from the study, the incidence of coexistence of fibroid among women in PortHarcourt is on the rise, hence health providers should take note and create awareness programs to educate women.