Doctors call for enhanced awareness campaigns on endometriosis

A group of doctors from West Africa and Kenya has rooted for enhanced campaigns to create awareness of endometriosis in the continent.

The West African doctors, who are on a training session in Kirinyaga County and their Kenyan counterparts said increased awareness will boost interventions to combat the disease.

Joe Njagi, a Kenyan doctor noted that at the moment, the burden of the disease in Africa is not known.

“In western world, the prevalence is 10 per cent. One out of 10 will suffer from endometriosis. That data is not available in Africa,” he said.

He said reports that the disease is on the rise in the continent may not be true.

“People are saying number is on the rise but I do not think so.  I can say our diagnostics have improved, patients have been empowered and we are talking about endometriosis,” he stated.

“It was a taboo to talk about issues around menstruation. This is what it is making the public feel that endometriosis is on the rise.

Ndoto Okechukwu, a doctor from Nigeria said the disease appears to be more widespread in Africa.

“It’s a major contributor to infertility it’s a big problem and, apparently, it appears to be more widespread in Africa. Unfortunately, most governments pay lip service to health in general,” he said.

“It is a serious challenge for a lot of women. Apart from the pain, it affects the family and the woman’s lifestyle. There is a very big need to invest in fighting the disease not only in Kenya but even in my own country,” he stated.

The visiting team is in the country to enhance skills in dealing with the disease.

The doctors said Kenya is much far ahead in terms of technology and stated that they have learnt more on this disease.

Endometriosis is a disease characterised by pain and infertility as its primary symptoms.

Endometriosis is a disease in which tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows in other places in the body.

It often affects the ovaries, fallopian tubes and the tissue lining the pelvis. Rarely, endometriosis growths may be found beyond the area where pelvic organs are located.

Endometriosis can cause pain, especially during menstrual periods. Fertility problems also may develop.

The cause of endometriosis is unknown. There is no known way to prevent endometriosis. There is no cure, but its symptoms can be treated with medicines or, in some cases, surgery.