Clinical Screening for Menorrhagia and Other Bleeding Symptoms in Nigerian Women

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to evaluate the prevalence of perceived bleeding symptoms in Nigerian women and the usefulness of a simple clinical screening tool for bleeding symptoms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A population-based cross-sectional survey of 1524 women of 16–50 years in Southeast Nigeria using a structured, prevalidated, pretested questionnaire was conducted. RESULTS: A total of 1524 (85%) women responded with the mean age of 26 (10.6) years. Prevalence of bleeding symptoms was 24.6% and 11% of the women reported a positive family history of bleeding symptoms. There was a significant association between having a positive family history of bleeding disorder and experiencing bleeding symptoms (adjusted odds ratio: 0.12, 95% confidence interval: 0.06–0.22 P < 0.0001). Two hundred and six women experienced at least one bleeding symptom, 125 (8.2%) experienced at least two, whereas 43 (2.8%) experienced >3 bleeding symptoms. The most common perceived bleeding symptom was heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) present in 83 women (22.2%), 141 (9.3%) reported a past history of HMB, 202 (13.3%) had heavy bleeds during most of their monthly cycle, and 351 (23%) requiring resuscitation with blood support. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of perceived bleeding symptoms among women is high, and HMB is the most common bleeding symptom. This clinical screening tool is easy and cost-effective in routinely identifying women with bleeding symptoms needing further hemostatic and obstetrics evaluation.