Burden of gynaecological disease in a tertiary hospital: two years audit of outpatient department at PIMS.

OBJECTIVE To estimate the pattern of gynaecological morbidity in women seeking services. METHODS All women seeking advice for gynaecological problems in the outpatients department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences Islamabad, from January 1997 to December 1998 were included. RESULTS The total reproductive morbidity presenting at the outpatients department was 29,196. Of these 18,289 (62.7%) presented with obstetric morbidity and 10,851 (37.2%) with gynaecological morbidity. Menstrual irregularity was the commonest gynaecological problem encountered (41.1%). The rest included reproductive tract infections (27.8%), subfertility (18.2%), urogynaecological problems (5.3%), menopausal symptoms (4%), benign genital tract tumors (2. 8%), gynaecological malignancies (0.7%) and others (0.1%, including sexual dysfunction, congenital malformations and genital tract injuries) CONCLUSION A number of women are seeking help for the varying severity of gynaecological morbidity, ranging from mild discomfort to overt disability. The major gnaecological morbidities identified are menstrual irregularities and reproductive tract infections. This study highlights the need for addressing and prioritising resources towards these women health issues which affect women's ability to fulfill a wide range of diverse roles.