About 5,000 women get pregnant in the district every year. Of them, 35 percent suffer from uterine prolapse, according to Bir Bahadur Rawal, statistics and information officer at DPHO. On this basis, over 2,000 women suffer from the ailment in the district every year, Rawal said.
Of those suffering from the prolapse, the number of those suffering from third degree prolapse is rising. “The third degree prolapse is dangerous, and it raises the risk of maternal mortality,” said Dr Prakash Chhetri of district hospital.
Dr Chhetri said most women in the district suffering from first degree prolapse are those in the age group 30-40. Similarly, women in the age group 40-50 comprise majority of those suffering from second degree.
Lifting heavy things during pregnancy, inadequate diet, and poor medical services during pregnancy and after delivery are the major reasons that raise the risk of uterine prolapse.
Though the condition can be taken care of to a great degree if women seek treatment after suffering from first degree prolapse, they refrain from doing due to lack of awareness. This only worsens the condition, doctors involved in the treatment maintain.
Many women have been deprived of treatment due to poverty.
Lalita Devi Bohara of Dadaban, Nawadurga-8, is an example. Bohara, who developed the condition four years ago, said she could not go for treatment due to lack of funds.
The prolapse is seen extensively in the hilly districts in far-western Nepal, including Dadeldhura, Doti, Achham, Bajhang, Bajura, Baitadi and Darchula, according to official records.
Repeated abortions also raise the risk of uterine prolapse. Also, women who are daily wage earners are prone to developing the condition.
Related story
KAHS to provide free treatment for uterine prolapse
