Author(s)

Eloge Ilunga-Mbaya^1*, Dénis Mukwege², Prosper Lukusa Tshilobo³, Kenny Raha Maroyi⁴, Rahma Rashid Tozin⁵, Dieudonné Sengeyi Mushengezi⁵

¹Urogynecology Unity, University Clinics of Kinshasa, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, DRC.
²Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, PANZI Hospital, Evangelical University of Africa, Bukavu, DRC.
³Department of Paediatrics, Center for Human Genetics Research of University Clinic of Kinshasa and KU Leuven, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, DRC.
⁴Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Urogynecology Unity, PANZI Hospital, Evangelical University of Africa, Bukavu, DRC.
⁵Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Clinics of Kinshasa, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, DRC.

Objective: Pelvic organ prolapse is an emerging public health problem affecting adult women of all ages with a negative impact on social, physical well-being, and psychological. Its presents several challenges in countries with low resources. This literature review aims to examine POP in its epidemiological aspects, risk factors, and staging by taking up the challenges associated with low-resource settings and identifying some avenues for future research. Methods: We searched the PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus databases. The other studies were identified by checking the secondary references in the original citation. We have collected studies on adult women published in English for the last 30 years. In total, 71 articles were read. We excluded studies from all newspaper articles, Studies presenting co-morbidities (fistulas, cervical cancer, pregnancy), those evaluating treatment, letters, comments, case reports, practice guidelines, news, historical articles, legal cases, published erratum, and congresses. Results: 16 studies examining the epidemiology have been identified with 11 in countries defined by the World Bank as limited or intermediate resources. 18 on risk factors whose 10 in countries with limited or intermediate resources, 10 on staging and 27 on physiopathology. Conclusion: POP affects the young more in low-resource settings. Its prevalence remains underestimated for several reasons. Several risk factors found are the same as those of women in countries with a high standard of living. However, there are some specific risk factors for these resource-limited settings.

Epidemiology, Low Resources-Countries, Pelvic Organs Prolapse, Risk Factors

Ilunga-Mbaya, E. , Mukwege, D. , Tshilobo, P. , Maroyi, K. , Tozin, R. and Mushengezi, D. (2023) Pelvic Organs Prolapse in Low-Resources Countries: Epidemiology, Risk Factors, Quality of Life. Narrative Review. Open Journal of Urology, 13, 238-250. doi: 10.4236/oju.2023.137028.