Abstract: Background: Hysterosalpingography (HSG) is a critical diagnostic tool for assessing female infertility, providing essential insights into tubal patency and uterine abnormalities. Despite its clinical importance, the procedure is associated with various patient challenges and experiences that can impact the overall quality of care. Understanding these experiences is crucial for improving HSG services, particularly in Nigeria, where healthcare disparities and infrastructural limitations are prevalent.
Objective: The objective of this review is to examine patients' experiences and challenges with HSG in Nigeria, identifying key areas for improvement in patient care and service delivery.
Methodology: This review synthesizes findings from existing literature on HSG experiences and challenges in Nigeria, focusing on studies conducted on patient-reported outcomes and healthcare provider perspectives. An electronic search for articles on hysterosalpingography published between 1992 and 2024 was conducted using PubMed, Cochrane Library, Google, and Semantic Scholar. This search was further refined through the use of advanced search techniques employing Boolean operators to increase specificity. Only articles written in English were included in this search.
Conclusion: The review revealed that patients undergoing HSG in Nigeria frequently encounter significant pain, anxiety and insufficient communication from healthcare providers. Financial, geographical, and cultural barriers further exacerbate these challenges, limiting access to HSG services for many women. To address these issues, a multifaceted approach is recommended, emphasizing enhanced patient education, effective pain management, and improved accessibility to HSG services. Stakeholders are called to prioritize patient-centred care and integrate patient feedback into continuous quality improvement initiatives. By doing so, the overall patient experience and health outcomes associated with HSG can be significantly improved in Nigeria.
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