ABSTRACT
Objectives To determine the prevalence of hypospadias; patent processus vaginalis; umbilical hernia; splenomegaly and cryptorchidism in primary school boys of a Nigerian community. Patients and Methods A community-based observational study using the cluster-sampling method was done. One thousand and ninety-six primary school boys aged between 5 and 13 years from five randomly selected schools in the administrative district of the Ogbaru Local Government Area (LGA) of Eastern Nigeria participated in this study; while in only 1080 boys some specific information on umbilical hernia was available. Each participant underwent a general; abdominal; groin and peno-scrotal physical examination. Results The prevalence of hypospadias was 1.1and this was equivalent to the incidence. The prevalence of a patent processus vaginalis was 1.0with an estimated incidence of 1.3. Cryptorchidism was present in 0.8and retractile testis in 3.2. The prevalence of umbilical hernia was 26and the splenomegaly rate was 7. Conclusion The incidence and prevalence of simple hypospadias was higher than previously suggested by a tertiary hospital-based report from Western Nigeria. Umbilical hernia was very common but apparently only few patients needed treatment. The incidence of a patent processus vaginalis was similar to that reported in other parts of the world; although surgical correction was delayed. Splenomegaly was common; not only due to endemic malaria; but also due to sickle-cell disease; with implications for the management of childhood trauma in this part of the world