Prevalence and Factors Associated with Pelvic Organ Prolapse among Pedestrian Back-Loading Women in Bench Maji Zone

BACKGROUND: It is common to see women carrying heavy loads on their back in developing countries including Ethiopia. This may have an effect on pelvic organ prolapse. The objective of this study was to determine prevalence and factors associated with pelvic organ prolapse among pedestrian back-loading women in Bench-MajiZone, 2016. METHODS: The study was conducted in Bench-MajiZone, Southwest Ethiopia, from January to March 2016. Cross-sectional study design was employed. The sample size was calculated to be 422. Women were selected by using convenientsampling technique. Interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. Binary logistic regression was used to determine factors associated with pelvic organ prolapse. RESULTS: Fifty-six (13.3%)of the study participants had pelvic organ prolapse. The likelihood of pelvic organ prolapse was higher among women whose ages were between 31–40 years (AOR= 6.88: 95% CI 1.68, 28.23), 41–50 years (AOR= 11.10: 95% CI 2.54, 48.49) and above 50 years (AOR= 35.42: 95% CI 6.94, 180.85) as compared with those who were less than 30 years. The likelihood of pelvic organ prolapse was also higher among those whose BMI was less than 18.5 (AOR= 2.37: 95% CI 1.25, 4.51) and duration of work greater than 10 years (AOR= 4.01: 95% CI 1.81, 8.89). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of pelvic organ prolapse was high. Age, BMI and duration of work were significantly associated with pelvic organ prolapse. Urgent attention is needed from concerned bodies.