Burden of pelvic organ prolapse in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Pelvic organ prolapse can significantly affect a woman’s quality of life by compromising physical, social, psychological and sexual function. Pelvic organ disorders and its consequences have higher economic burden to the patient as well to the country. Therefore, this systematic review and met- analysis aimed to estimate the burden of POP in Ethiopia. METHODS: International databases (MEDLINE/Pub Med, Hinari, Scopus, Google scholar, African journals and literatures were searched and seven eligible cross sectional and two case control studies were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis. Eggers test and funnel plot were computed to check publication bias across the studies. Publication bias was computed using a funnel plot and eggers test. Heterogeneity of the studies was checked using Cochrane Q-test and I(2) statistic. Subgroup analysis was computed for the evidence of heterogeneity. RESULTS: This systematic review and meta-analysis revealed that the overall national prevalence of pelvic organ prolapse in Ethiopia was 23.52% (95% CI: 61.04, 80.24). Being rural resident (AOR = 3.29; 95% CI: 1.38–7.85), I(2) = 47.5%, P = 0.167), having < 18.5 BMI (AOR = 2.59; 95% CI: 1.53–4.4), I(2) = 59.9%, P = 0.64), and age > 40(AOR = 7.43; 95% CI: 2.27–24.29), I(2) = 75.9%, P = 0.016) were the associated risk factors for pelvic organ prolapse. CONCLUSIONS: The pooled prevalence of pelvic organ prolapse was high. Residence, body mass index and age of the women were the predictors of pelvic organ prolpase. Creating awareness and identifying the modifiable and non modifiable risk factors for pelvic organ prolpase is a crucial strategy to prevent further complications and risk of operation.