Prevalence of reproductive morbidity among women of the Qashqa’i tribe, Islamic Republic of Iran

Gynaecological problems related to childbearing were studied in 1010 married women of the semi-nomadic Qashqa’i tribe. The most common problems were cystocele [56.0%], uterine prolapse [53.6%] and rectocele [40.4%]. The prevalence of other problems such as cervical erosion and inflammation, urinary incontinence and dyspareunia was found to be between 24% and 40%. Early age at marriage and childbearing, high parity and poor access to medical facilities are considered to be the most important factors leading to these high prevalence rates, although the lifestyle of the women in this community could also be a major contributing factor