Quality of life and associated factors among women with pelvic organ prolapse in Ethiopia: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Introduction: The poor quality of life for women with pelvic organ prolapse is significantly impacted by physical discomfort and emotional distress. Despite the poor quality of life, there is a lack of comprehensive reviews in the existing literature. This review aims to address this gap by systematically evaluating the overall quality of life and identifying the factors among women suffering from pelvic organ prolapse in Ethiopia. Methods: PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, African Journals Online, and the Wiley Online Library, and a Google Scholar were searched from January 1, 2024, to February 10, 2024. Data extractions were performed using Excel, and the analyses were conducted with Stata 11 software. Pooled effect sizes were determined based on the percentages, and pooled odds ratios with 95% CI were used to pool the effect measure. To evaluate statistical heterogeneity, the Cochrane Q test and I² statistic were employed. A sub group analysis, Meta-regression, and sensitivity analysis were done. Small study effect was assessed. The quality of the studies was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Results: The pooled prevalence of poor quality of life among women with pelvic organ prolapse was found to be 42.40% (95% CI: 43.22, 57.61). Key factors significantly associated with a poor quality of life included uneducated women (POR=2.52, 95% CI: 1.79, 3.53), lack of regular physical exercise (POR=3.39; 95% CI: 2.20–5.22), the presence of urge urinary incontinence (POR=4.08, 95% CI: 3.10, 5.36), and having pelvic organ prolapse stages ≥ 3 (POR = 2.91; 95% CI: 2.06–4.11). Conclusions : This review highlights that 42.4% of Ethiopian women with pelvic organ prolapse experience a poor quality of life. This issue is particularly pronounced among women who have not received formal education, those with stage III or IV pelvic organ prolapse, individuals suffering from urge urinary incontinence, and those who do not participate in regular physical exercise. To enhance the quality of life for these women, it is essential to ensure access to early interventions, psychosocial support, and counseling that addresses their physical, mental, and social health. We recommended that healthcare providers play a vital role in identifying cases within communities and linking these services to health extension workers for effective support and management.