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Hysterectomy in Adolescents
Abstract
Subjects and Methods: We evaluated the trends and factors that necessitated hysterectomy among adolescents seen at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Port-Harcourt (UPTH), Nigeria.This is a retrospective descriptive analysis of 28 cases of hysterectomies managed at the UPTH over a 17-year period. Variables analysed included socio-demographic factors, indications for and type of hysterectomy performed, decision level, duration of surgery and complications encountered.
Results: Majority (78%) of the hysterectomies were in adolescents aged 16 years and above. Sixty percent of them had a secondary education, 78% were unmarried and one third had had a previous successful pregnancy. About half the cases resided in rural while half resided in urban settlements.. Seventy-one percent of the hysterectomies were abortion- related. Decisions for the hysterectomies were taken mainly by
consultants and occasionally, in dire emergencies, by senior residents to prevent death from bleeding. Mortality was 21%.
Conclusion: The results suggest the need for a greater emphasis on sexuality education and expansion of sexual and reproductive health services to adolescents especially those who are sexually active. Life planning and livelihood skills training are needed to enable young people acquire value-based skills, which are essential for making safe and
informed choices . With such high level of mortality from septic abortion even with invention, the need for Youth Friendly Centres/services cannot be over emphasized.
