Investigation on factors related to uterine fibroids in rural women of northern Anhui province.

ABSTRACT

AIM: Given the increasing prevalence of hysteromyoma among the Chinese rural women of childbearing age, it is imperative that more attention should be given to researching risk factors that predispose women to this condition so that early preventive measures may be taken. Our study investigates potential risk factors for uterine fibroids such as participants' demographic characteristics (age, ethnicity, education), physiological characteristics (age at menarche, primiparous age), and the occurrence of several different female reproductive diseases (vaginitis, pelvic inflammatory disease). METHODS: 2200 rural women of reproductive age were screened from a cross-sectional study carried out in the northern Anhui province. Data were collected by questionnaire surveys, gynecological and laboratory examinations and were subjected to univariate and multivariate analysis to evaluate the risk factors for uterine fibroids. RESULTS: Of the 2200 women, 440 had uterine fibroids. In general, women with endometriosis, ovarian cysts and early menarche were more likely to suffer from hysteromyoma. Factors including higher parity, late age of first childbirth, and a regular menstrual cycle were associated with the reduced risk of uterine fibroids. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that parameters such as earlier age of menarche, early primiparous age, lower parity and a variety of female reproductive diseases were associated with an increased risk of uterine fibroids. These findings may be used to guide the formulation of effective prevention and intervention protocols to improve the reproductive health of rural women.