A A Okeke1, D N Osegbe. 1. Department of Surgery, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Lagos, Nigeria. aokaykays@hotmail.com
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence and characteristics of cryptorchidism among primary schoolboys in a Nigerian district. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The district selected had 35 primary schools with 23,342 pupils, consisting of 11,275 girls and 11,967 boys. Using a cluster-sampling technique, five primary schools were visited; 1096 boys (aged 5-13 years) participated in the study, giving a sampling ratio of 1:11. The boys underwent a clinical examination of the groin, scrotum and abdomen. RESULTS: Cryptorchidism was found in nine subjects, giving a prevalence rate of 0.82%. All the undescended testes were unilateral, of which five were right-sided. Eight of the testes were intracanalicular and one was at the external ring. There were no cases of orchidopexy. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of cryptorchidism among primary schoolboys in this district of Nigeria was high, at eight per 1000. Delayed diagnosis and treatment remains a problem because of the prevailing socio-economic factors. However, the incidence of cryptorchidism was similar to that reported in other parts of the world.
OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence and characteristics of cryptorchidism among primary schoolboys in a Nigerian district. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The district selected had 35 primary schools with 23,342 pupils, consisting of 11,275 girls and 11,967 boys. Using a cluster-sampling technique, five primary schools were visited; 1096 boys (aged 5-13 years) participated in the study, giving a sampling ratio of 1:11. The boys underwent a clinical examination of the groin, scrotum and abdomen. RESULTS:Cryptorchidism was found in nine subjects, giving a prevalence rate of 0.82%. All the undescended testes were unilateral, of which five were right-sided. Eight of the testes were intracanalicular and one was at the external ring. There were no cases of orchidopexy. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of cryptorchidism among primary schoolboys in this district of Nigeria was high, at eight per 1000. Delayed diagnosis and treatment remains a problem because of the prevailing socio-economic factors. However, the incidence of cryptorchidism was similar to that reported in other parts of the world.
Authors: W W M Hack; K Sijstermans; J van Dijk; L M van der Voort-Doedens; M E de Kok; M J Hobbelt-Stoker Journal: Arch Dis Child Date: 2006-08-11 Impact factor: 3.791