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Knowledge and perceptions of uterine fibroids: A descriptive cross sectional survey among women of childbearing age in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa

Amanda Dlamini(1), Celenkosini Thembelenkosini Nxumalo(2), Nomakhosi Mpofana(3), Michael Paulse(4), Mokgadi Makgobole(5), Pavitra Pillay(6),


(1) Department of Biomedical and Clinical Technology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Durban University of Technology, Durban, 4000, South Africa
(2) Research Development and Postgraduate Support, Office of the DVC Research and Innovation, University of the Western Cape, South Africa; School of Nursing and Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal
(3) Department of Somatology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa
(4) Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Faculty of Health and Wellness Sciences, Cape Town, 8000, South Africa
(5) Department of Somatology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa
(6) Department of Biomedical and Clinical Technology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Durban University of Technology, Durban, 4000, South Africa
Corresponding Author

Abstract


Uterine fibroids are the leading cause of hysterectomies among women of childbearing age. This study aimed to elicit the knowledge and perceptions of childbearing women towards uterine fibroids. A quantitative, cross-sectional descriptive design was used and data were collected from a sample of 362 women of reproductive age residing in a selected township in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Ethical approval to conduct the study was obtained from the Durban University of Technology’s Institutional Research Ethics Committee (IREC – Ref No. BIREC 014/21). A pre-tested survey was conducted to collect data for this study. SPSS version 27 was used to analyze data and further employed descriptive statistics. Inferential statistics were also conducted to investigate relationships between important variables and respondents who self-reported being diagnosed with uterine fibroids. Most participants, 73.8% (n=267), had no awareness of uterine fibroids. Participants also demonstrated poor knowledge regarding the aetiology and symptoms of the condition. However, nearly half of the participants, 49.2% (n=178), perceived uterine fibroids to be of spiritual origin, citing evil spirits and witchcraft as the cause. The study findings suggest that women in the selected township lack accurate knowledge about uterine fibroids. Despite the limitations related to the use of a convenience sampling approach for data collection and the subsequently low levels of education observed among certain participants, the study findings provide useful baseline information to inform the development of tailored educational interventions for the condition.

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