Justina Omoikhefe Alegbeleye^1,, Olusegun Abayomi Biyi-Olutunde²

Introduction: Anaemia is a common but avoidable negative prognostic factor in newly diagnosed patients with gynecological malignancy. However, there is little information regarding the prevalence of anaemia among newly diagnosed gynaecological cancer patients in developing countries like Nigeria. Objectives: To evaluate the prevalence, pattern, and associated factors of pre-operative anaemia in gynaecological cancer patients at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study of 146 women diagnosed and managed for gynaecological cancers at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital between January 1, 2019, and December 31, 2022. A structured interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to obtain socio-demographic and clinical characteristics. Data was entered into a spreadsheet and analyzed with SPSS 25. The 95% confidence interval was used, and a p value of ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. The Chi square test and Pearson's correlation were used to determine the relationship between anaemia and variables. Results: The mean age was 53.3 ± 13 years, 96 (65.8%) were married while 49 (33.6%) had tertiary education. One-fifth of the women 30 (20.5%) were traders and skilled workers/farmers 30 (20.5%). The median parity and age at menarche were 4 (4) and 13 (1) years respectively. Majority of the women 75 (52%) were diagnosed with stage III gynaecological cancer. The prevalence of anaemia was 113 (90 %). The highest prevalence was among patients with cervical cancer 42 (75%). There was a significant statistical relationship between anaemia and type of gynaecological cancer (X2 = 47.539, p-value <0.001). In addition, there was a significant statistical relationship between level of education (X2 = 28.633, p-value <0.001), occupation (X2 = 42.096, p-value = 0.001), and anaemia. Conclusion: There is a high prevalence of anaemia in patients with cervical cancer and advanced disease. Early presentation, prompt diagnosis, and in severe cases, blood transfusion may be beneficial, and reduce morbidity.

anaemia, gynaecological cancer, prevalence, associated factors, Port Harcourt, Nigeria