Aetiology of urethral strictures at Moi teaching and refferal hospital

Abstract

Introduction Urethral stricture disease is still a major cause of morbidity and life-long disability in third world countries. We reviewed the records of patients at MTRH to determine the aetiology of urethral strictures. Methods and Materials A retrospective review of patients’ records from 2003 to 2007, was carried out. Variables of interest included age, gender, and aetiology of urethral strictures. Results There were 143 patients out of which 112 had complete data that could be analyzed. Fifty one percent of urethral strictures were due to urethritis, 47% were due to trauma and 1.8% due to rare causes like urethral diverticulum and urethral carcinoma. Accidental trauma caused urethral strictures among younger people 27.7+/-14.3 years while strictures due to urethritis were commoner among middle aged patients 45.6+/- 16.3 years. Conclusion Urethritis, iatrogenic and accidental trauma are still the commonest causes of urethral strictures in our environment. These causes are preventable.