Prevalence of Uterine Fibroids Among Women Presenting for Gynaecological Ultrasound at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital

Uterine fibroids are the most common benign gynaecological tumour among women of reproductive age and a leading indication for gynaecological surgery in Nigeria, yet population-level prevalence data from northern Nigerian clinical centres remain limited. This study determines the prevalence and ultrasonographic characteristics of uterine fibroids among women presenting for gynaecological pelvic ultrasound at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH), Kano State, North West Nigeria. A cross-sectional study reviewed pelvic ultrasound reports of 300 consecutive women aged 18 to 55 years attending the radiology department for gynaecological indications over four months. Fibroid presence, number, location, and size were documented from standardised ultrasound findings. Prevalence was 38.3 percent overall, rising to 54 percent among women aged 35 to 45 years. Intramural fibroids were the most common location (52 percent), followed by subserosal (28 percent) and submucosal (20 percent). Nulliparity (OR 2.4) and African ethnicity were associated with higher fibroid prevalence. Fifty-six percent of fibroid-positive women were asymptomatic. Abnormal uterine bleeding (44 percent) and pelvic pressure symptoms (32 percent) were the dominant presenting complaints in symptomatic cases. The study establishes a high fibroid prevalence among AKTH gynaecological attendees, consistent with the recognised elevated burden in women of African descent. Recommendations include routine fibroid screening during gynaecological consultations and expansion of minimally invasive fibroid treatment at AKTH. Keywords: uterine fibroids, prevalence, pelvic ultrasound, Kano, gynaecological survey