Prevalence, incidence, repair rate, and morbidity of groin hernias in Sierra Leone: cross-sectional household study

Abstract

Background Knowledge about the prevalence of groin hernias in sub-Saharan Africa is limited. Previous studies have demonstrated a higher incidence of the condition than the annual repair rate. This study aimed to investigate prevalence, incidence, annual repair rate, morbidity, and health-seeking behaviour of persons with groin hernias in Sierra Leone. Methods This population-based, cross-sectional household survey on groin hernias in Sierra Leone was part of the Prevalence Study on Surgical Conditions 2020 (PRESSCO 2020). Those who indicated possible groin hernia were asked problem-specific questions and underwent physical examination to confirm or exclude the diagnosis. Results 3626 study participants were interviewed. The prevalence of untreated groin hernia was 1.1 per cent (95 per cent c.i. 0.8 to 1.5 per cent), whereas the prevalence of untreated and treated groin hernia was 2.5 per cent (95 per cent c.i. 2.0 to 3.0 per cent). The proportion of recurrence was 13.1 per cent. An incidence of 389 (95 per cent c.i. 213 to 652) groin hernia cases per 100 000 people per year was identified, while a population-based annual hernia repair rate estimation was 470 (95 per cent c.i. 350 to 620) per 100 000 people. Out of 39 participants with groin hernia, non-ignorable pain was reported by eight and 27 reported financial shortcomings as a reason for not seeking healthcare. Conclusions Groin hernias are common in Sierra Leone and although the repair rate might match the incidence, the existing backlog of untreated hernias is likely to remain. It may be possible to reduce the number of recurrences through improved management. Measures to reduce financial barriers to treatment seem crucial to improve the health of people with groin hernias in Sierra Leone.

Standardised Competency‐Based Training of Medical Doctors and Associate Clinicians in Inguinal Repair with Mesh in Sierra Leone

“…This is much lower than the 13.1% recurrence rate that was identified from a nation-wide population study from Sierra Leone. However, most of those surgeries were done without mesh and with a longer follow-up time [ 2 ]. A previous study in Ghana demonstrated a recurrence rate of 1.8% after one year when the procedures were performed by general surgeons and MDs [ 24 ].…”

“…In Sub-Saharan Africa, the estimated need for inguinal hernia repair is 204 to 210 per 100,000 population [1]. In Ghana, the estimated annual incidence of symptomatic inguinal hernia is 210 per 100,000 population, and a study from Sierra Leone has documented a prevalence of untreated groin hernia at 2.5% [2,3]. Although inguinal hernia repair is among the most common surgical procedures performed, accounting for up to 16.0% of all surgeries in Sierra Leone, the met need remains low [4].…”

Topical antimicrobial treatment of mesh for the reduction of surgical site infections after hernia repair: a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…Hernia repair surgery impacts over 20 million people worldwide yearly [ 1 ]. Surgical site infection (SSI) remains one of the biggest challenges within the hernia repair field, leading to increase in morbidity, mortality and costs [ 2 ].…”