A Comparative Study of Risk Factors Associated with Uterine Fibroids among Working and Non-Working Women in Jhunjhunu District (Rajasthan)

Abstract

Uterine fibroids are among the most common benign tumours affecting women of reproductive age and are associated with a variety of reproductive, lifestyle, and occupational factors. The present study aimed to compare risk factors associated with uterine fibroids among working and non-working women in Jhunjhunu district, Rajasthan. Primary data were collected from 50 women diagnosed with uterine fibroids using a structured questionnaire covering socio-demographic characteristics, reproductive and medical history, symptoms, occupational stress, and lifestyle-related factors. The collected data were analysed using descriptive statistics, including frequencies and percentages, while comparative analysis between working and non-working women was performed using the Mann–Whitney U test. The results showed that the majority of respondents belonged to the age groups of 26–35 years and 36–45 years (32% each), with 60% residing in rural areas. Most participants were graduates (40%), married (100%), and belonged to economically adequate households (80%). Non-working women constituted 76% of the study population. A majority of respondents had experienced more than one pregnancy (68%), and oral contraceptive pills were the most commonly used contraceptive method (46%). Intramural fibroids were the predominant type (40%), and allopathic treatment was adopted by 84% of respondents. Occupational stress, anxiety, and sleep deprivation were reported by a proportion of working women, while 8% reported exposure to occupational hazards. Comparative analysis revealed slightly higher symptom scores among working women and higher lifestyle-risk scores among non-working women. However, the differences were not statistically significant for symptom score (U = 200.00, p = 0.521) or lifestyle score (U = 188.00, p = 0.343). The study concludes that although variations in symptom burden and lifestyle-related risk factors were observed, occupational status was not significantly associated with uterine fibroids among the respondents.