PREVALENCE OF ABNORMAL UTERINE BLEEDING AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG REPRODUCTIVE AGE WOMEN VISITING GYNECOLOGIC OUTPATIENT DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HOSPITALS IN HARAR, EASTERN ETHIOPIA

Abstract

Abnormal uterine bleeding encompasses a spectrum of menstrual irregularities, including variations in frequency, duration, and volume of menstrual flow, and is classified into structural and non-structural etiologies. It is a common problem effecting up to a third of women in their reproductive years. There is a limited study conducted pertaining to abnormal uterine bleeding in low-resource centers including the current study setting. Objective: To assess the prevalence of abnormal uterine bleeding and associated factors among reproductive age women visiting gynecologic outpatient department of public hospitals in Harar, Eastern Ethiopia, from November 1, 2024 to December 30, 2024. Method: Facility based cross-sectional study design was conducted at the gynecologic outpatient department of Hiwot-Fana Comprehensive Specialized Hospital and Jugol General Hospital, Harar, Eastern Ethiopia. 385 patients were included by systematic random sampling technique. Data were collected by face-to-face interview from the patients and from the patient’s medical record by a structured data abstraction tool. Data were coded and interred to Epi-InfoTM version 7.2.5.0 and analysed using STATA version 17. Descriptive data were summarized using tables, charts, and graphs. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were done to identify factors associated with abnormal uterine bleeding. Statistical significance was declared at a 95% confidence interval with a P-value less than 0.05. Goodness of model fitness was checked by using Hosmer-Lemshow test. Results: A total of 385 reproductive age women was included with the mean age of 29.23±7.63 years. The prevalence of abnormal uterine bleeding was 27.01% (95% CI: 22.56%–31.47%). Use of IUCD (AOR=3.43, 95% CI: 1.31-8.98), use of hormonal contraceptives (AOR=2.14, 95% CI: 1.19-3.85), a history of uterine fibroids (AOR=5.07, 95% CI: 2.55-10.07), being obese (AOR = 2.80, 95% CI: 1.22 - 6.41), and a high perceived stress level (AOR=1.94, 95% CI: 1.05-3.59) were all statistically significant with abnormal uterine bleeding.More than a quarter of reproductive-age women experienced abnormal uterine bleeding. Contraceptive use such as IUCD and hormonal contraceptives, uterine fibroids, obesity, and high stress level were strongly associated with abnormal uterine bleeding. Highlighting the need for comprehensive care approaches to address these determinants