Abnormalities of the external genitalia and groins among primary school boys in Bida, Nigeria

Background: Abnormalities of the male external genitalia and groin, a set of lesions which may be congenital or acquired, are rather obscured to many kids and their parents and Nigerian health care system has no formal program to detect them.Objectives: To identify and determine the prevalence of abnormalities of external genitalia and groin among primary school boys in Bida, Nigeria.Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of primary school male pupils in Bida. A detailed clinical examination of the external genitalia and groin was performed on them.Results: Abnormalities were detected in 240 (36.20%) of the 663 boys, with 35 (5.28%) having more than one abnormality. The three most prevalent abnormalities were penile chordee (37, 5.58%), excessive removal of penile skin (37, 5.58%) and retractile testis (34, 5.13%). The prevalence of complications of circumcision was 15.40% and included excessive residual foreskin, excessive removal of skin, skin bridges and meatal stenosis. Undescended testes were seen in 6 (0.90%) boys, with median age of 9 years and 2 were bilateral. Also, micropenis was detected in 27 (4.07%) of the pupils.Conclusion: Inguino-penoscrotal abnormalities are common in our community (36.20%). Screening of pre-school and school children to  detect them should be introduced into the school health programs in Nigeria.Keywords: External genitalia, groin abnormalities, boy