Patterns and Types of Colorectal Polyps Among Adults in Imo State Nigeria

Background: Colorectal cancer is one of the major health problems in the world. It used to be thought that it is a disease of people in developed countries, but recent studies has shown increasing incidence in developing countries. In Nigeria, most patients present cases late when curative resection is impossible. In order to achieve higher success, it becomes essential that knowledge and awareness for early symptoms and detection methods and screening tools have to be identified. This study aimed to elucidate the patterns and types of colorectal polyps among adults aged 40 – 65 years of age in Imo State Nigeria. Methods: The sample of the study comprised one thousand (1000) adults drawn through a multistage sampling method, and included both urban and rural dwellers from the selected communities in Imo State, Nigeria. These were screened for Fasting Occult Blood Test (FOBT). Out of the, 40 (4. 0%) of the subjects found to be positive, a further random selection was used to select 20 (50.0%) for virtual colonoscopy for detection of colorectal polyps. Results: Findings showed that there was evident in the low prevalence of colorectal polyps (20%). Also, there was a significant association between the patterns of colorectal polyp and awareness of colorectal polyp among the participants (p= 0.001; X2= 7.153). Conclusion: There are different types of colon polyps with differing tendencies to become malignant and abilities to predict the development of polyps to cancer. It is important to recognize families with members who have genetic conditions causing polyps because some of these conditions are associated with a very high incidence of colon cancer, and the cancer can be prevented if discovered early.