Big Belly-No Baby Syndrome: Perceptions of Premenopausal Women on Misinformation Surrounding Uterine Fibroids in Awka South LGA

Abstract

This study examined the perceptions of premenopausal women on misinformation surrounding uterine fibroids in Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State, Nigeria. In many communities, fibroids are popularly described using stigmatizing expressions such as “big belly, no baby syndrome,” which reinforces misconceptions about the condition and influences women’s health-seeking behavior. The study adopted a survey research design and was anchored on the Health Belief Model and the Social Construction of Illness framework. A sample size of 384 premenopausal women aged 18–49 was selected from five communities in Awka South LGA using a multistage sampling technique. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequency, percentage, and weighted mean. Findings revealed that although a majority of respondents had heard about uterine fibroids, their level of knowledge was only moderate, and a substantial number were aware of the existence of misinformation about the condition. The study also found that most respondents obtained information about uterine fibroids from informal sources, which contributed to the spread of misconceptions, including beliefs that fibroids are caused by spiritual attacks or can be completely cured through herbal remedies. The study concludes that misinformation continues to shape women’s perceptions and health decisions regarding uterine fibroids. It therefore recommends that intensified reproductive health education, community sensitization, the use of mass media campaigns to promote accurate information and counter misinformation about uterine fibroids, and improved access to non-surgical management options should be widely promoted.