Association between hypovitaminosis D and uterine leiomyomas among women of reproductive age attending selected hospitals in Uganda: A multicenter cross-sectional study
- 1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kampala International University, Ishaka, Uganda
- 2Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
- 3Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Kampala International University, Ishaka, Uganda
Abstract
Background: Uterine leiomyoma, is a common benign neoplasm among women of reproductive age with a potential of causing significant health complications and financial burdens in severe cases. Recent research suggests a possible link between vitamin D deficiency and uterine leiomyoma development; however, this relationship has not been established in the Ugandan population. For this reason, there is no individualized or public health interventions targeting this modifiable risk factor. The study aimed to determine the relationship between hypovitaminosis D and uterine leiomyoma among women of reproductive age attending Jinja, Lira and Fort Portal Regional Referral Hospitals in Uganda. Methods: A cross-sectional multicentre study was conducted at Jinja, Lira and Fort Portal Regional Referral Hospitals between 1st October 2022–31st January 2023. 246 non-pregnant women of reproductive age were included in the study. Questionnaires were administered to the participants, their serum vitamin D analysed and a transabdominal pelvic scan done. A p value of ≤0.05 was the threshold for statistical significance. Results: The prevalence of hypovitaminosis D among participants was high at 54.1%. There was no significant difference in the proportions of leiomyoma among those with and without hypovitaminosis D (χ2 = 0.503, p = 0.478 > 0.05). The mean serum vitamin D level was lower in individuals with uterine leiomyomas compared to those without (19.954 ± 9.77 versus 21.552 ± 9.54 [95% CI: −0.04 to 4.24, p = 0.235]). There was no statistically significant association between hypovitaminosis D and uterine leiomyoma (OR 1.22, 95% CI 0.70–2.12; p = 0.478). There was a weak negative correlation observed between serum vitamin D levels and leiomyoma site number (r = −0.2482, p = 0.0342 < 0.05). Conclusion and recommendations: The prevalence of hypovitaminosis D was high among women of reproductive age. There was no statistically significant relationship between hypovitaminosis D and uterine leiomyomas despite a weak negative correlation between vitamin D levels and leiomyoma site number which was statistically significant. High prevalence of hypovitaminosis D underscores the need for health education and public health measures by healthcare providers to manage and prevent vitamin D deficiency-related morbidity among women of reproductive age. Further research by the scientists is needed to investigate the potential association between hypovitaminosis D and uterine leiomyoma, in regards to increased site number, among the African population.
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BibTeX
@article{nightingale2026association,
title = {{Association between hypovitaminosis D and uterine leiomyomas among women of reproductive age attending selected hospitals in Uganda: A multicenter cross-sectional study}},
author = {Senaji Khamonya Nightingale and Rogers Kajabwangu and Maxwell Okello and Emmanuel Okurut and Marie Pascaline Sabine Ishimwe and Peter Okello and Happy Tukirinawe and Perez Fernando and Ubarnel Almenares and James Okello and Yarine Fajardo and Theoneste Hakizimana},
journal = {PLOS One},
year = {2026},
month = sep,
doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0354584},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0354584},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Association between hypovitaminosis D and uterine leiomyomas among women of reproductive age attending selected hospitals in Uganda: A multicenter cross-sectional study
AU - Senaji Khamonya Nightingale
AU - Rogers Kajabwangu
AU - Maxwell Okello
AU - Emmanuel Okurut
AU - Marie Pascaline Sabine Ishimwe
AU - Peter Okello
AU - Happy Tukirinawe
AU - Perez Fernando
AU - Ubarnel Almenares
AU - James Okello
AU - Yarine Fajardo
AU - Theoneste Hakizimana
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/09/08
JO - PLOS One
DO - 10.1371/journal.pone.0354584
UR - https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0354584
AB - Background: Uterine leiomyoma, is a common benign neoplasm among women of reproductive age with a potential of causing significant health complications and financial burdens in severe cases. Recent research suggests a possible link between vitamin D deficiency and uterine leiomyoma development; however, this relationship has not been established in the Ugandan population. For this reason, there is no individualized or public health interventions targeting this modifiable risk factor. The study aimed to determine the relationship between hypovitaminosis D and uterine leiomyoma among women of reproductive age attending Jinja, Lira and Fort Portal Regional Referral Hospitals in Uganda. Methods: A cross-sectional multicentre study was conducted at Jinja, Lira and Fort Portal Regional Referral Hospitals between 1st October 2022–31st January 2023. 246 non-pregnant women of reproductive age were included in the study. Questionnaires were administered to the participants, their serum vitamin D analysed and a transabdominal pelvic scan done. A p value of ≤0.05 was the threshold for statistical significance. Results: The prevalence of hypovitaminosis D among participants was high at 54.1%. There was no significant difference in the proportions of leiomyoma among those with and without hypovitaminosis D (χ2 = 0.503, p = 0.478 > 0.05). The mean serum vitamin D level was lower in individuals with uterine leiomyomas compared to those without (19.954 ± 9.77 versus 21.552 ± 9.54 [95% CI: −0.04 to 4.24, p = 0.235]). There was no statistically significant association between hypovitaminosis D and uterine leiomyoma (OR 1.22, 95% CI 0.70–2.12; p = 0.478). There was a weak negative correlation observed between serum vitamin D levels and leiomyoma site number (r = −0.2482, p = 0.0342 < 0.05). Conclusion and recommendations: The prevalence of hypovitaminosis D was high among women of reproductive age. There was no statistically significant relationship between hypovitaminosis D and uterine leiomyomas despite a weak negative correlation between vitamin D levels and leiomyoma site number which was statistically significant. High prevalence of hypovitaminosis D underscores the need for health education and public health measures by healthcare providers to manage and prevent vitamin D deficiency-related morbidity among women of reproductive age. Further research by the scientists is needed to investigate the potential association between hypovitaminosis D and uterine leiomyoma, in regards to increased site number, among the African population.
SN - 1932-6203
ER -