ASSESSMENT OF UTERINE CAVITY LENGTH VARIATION AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG REPRODUCTIVE AGE WOMEN VISITING FAMILY PLANNING UNITS OF PUBLIC HEALTH CENTERS, IN GONDAR TOWN, NORTHWEST ETHIOPIA

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background: - The human uterus, which is a pear-shaped and muscular organ, has two anatomical regions, the cervix and the corpus. The length of uterine cavity is determinant factor for development of fetus during intrauterine life and for placement of intrauterine device which is inserted for prevention of pregnancy. Knowledge of uterine cavity length is helpful for predicting and managing various intrauterine events. Therefore, it was important to assess the length of uterine cavity and to identify the associated factors. Objective: The study was conducted to assess uterine cavity length variation and associated factors among reproductive age women visiting family planning units of public health centers in Gondar town, Northwest Ethiopia. Method: Institutional based cross-sectional study design was used. Eighty women who visited family planning units were included in this study. Descriptive statistics was used. Bivariate and multivariate linear regression was used to determine factors associated with length of uterine cavity. Statistical significance was determined at P value ? 0.05. Result: The length of uterine cavity was from 6cm to 9.8cm for the participants of this study. Its mean (±SD) was 7.60 ± 0.73cm and 6.51 ± 0.37cm for multigravid and nuligravid women, respectively. But, for the combination of both multigravid and nuligravid women it was 7.48 ± 0.78cm. Mean age was 29.41± 6.74 years and mean height was 158.67 ± 1.77cm. Mean weight and mean BMI were 58.63 ± 8.84kg and 23.22 ± 3.60kg/m2, respectively. Length of uterine cavity was significantly associated with age, gravidity, and height. But, it was not associated with weight. Conclusion and recommendation: The finding of the present study showed that the length of uterine cavity was from short to long ranges and its mean was within the referent range. Age, height, and gravidity were factors associated length of uterine cavity. Health professional shall take especial care considering length of uterine cavity during health services related to uterine cavity. Key words: length of uterine cavity, gravidity, variation, reproductive age group