Vaginal injuries during coitus in Calabar: a 10-year review.

UNLABELLED: Injuries during coitus could result in considerable morbidity and mortality in women. Identifying their pattern of presentation and predisposing factors will aid in their prevention.

STUDY DESIGN AND

SETTING

A descriptive study of patients with coital injuries seen in the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (U.C.T.H) Calabar, between 1991 and 2000, with data obtained from case records.

RESULTS

Coital injuries constituted 0.7/1000 gynaecological emergencies. Rape (68.0%) was the commonest aetiological factor. It was more common in nulliparous patients (88.0%) and toddlers and teenagers formed the age group most affected. The lower vagina was the most common site of injury (44.0%). Vaginal bleeding was the commonest mode of presentation and hypovolaemic shock, the most common complication.

CONCLUSION

Rape is the commonest cause of coital injury in Calabar. Coital injuries should be considered as a differential diagnosis in all cases of abnormal vaginal bleeding particularly in children.