Prevalence, Risk Factors and Complication of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease among Women of Reproductive Age at the EHFA Foundation Teaching Medical Centre in Foumbot

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is a polymicrobial infection that originates from the upward spread of infecting organisms through the cervix and into the uterus, fallopian tubes, or peritoneal cavity. PID can result in a range of serious complications, particularly when diagnosis and treatment are delayed. The main objective of this study was to determine the prevalence, risk factors and complications of pelvic inflammatory disease among women of reproductive age attending the EHFA Foundation Teaching Medical Centre in Foumbot. A hospital based cross-sectional study design was used to determine the prevalence, risk factors and complications of pelvic inflammatory disease among women of reproductive age. A convenient sampling technique was used and data were collected using a well-structured questionnaire and data extraction form and ethical consideration was well observed. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS version 21 and statistical significance was considered if p value was less than or equal to 0.05. A total of 123 respondents were included in the study. Out of this population, 76 respondents (61.8%) were suspected of having PID based on clinical symptoms and initial screening. The majority were within the age range of 20 - 35 years. Subsequent diagnosis procedure confirmed PID in 46 out of 76 suspected cases. Out of the total cases identified (46 infections), Syphilis was the most prevalent, accounting for 14 cases (30.4%), followed closely by coinfection with Chlamydia trachomatis and Syphilis, which occurred in 13 cases (28.3%). Level of education had a statistically significant association with PID (χ² = 8.082; p = 0.044), with the highest prevalence among women with secondary education (n = 23; 18.7%). Among the statistically significant variables, having multiple sexual partners was strongly associated with PID (χ² = 8.418; p = 0.004), with a higher prevalence among those who reported multiple partners (n = 17; 13.8%) compared to those who did not (n = 29; 23.6%). The study revealed a high prevalence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among sexually active youths, with 37.4% of participants confirmed to have PID-related infections, underscoring a significant public health concern. Syphilis was the most common infection (30.4%), followed by coinfection with chlamydia and syphilis (28.3%). It can therefore be recommended that the Ministry launch public campaigns to raise awareness about causes, signs and symptoms, complications, risk factors and prevention of pelvic inflammatory disease.