Incidence of hysterectomy in New Zealand

The total number of hysterectomies performed in New Zealand from 1978 to 1984 was analysed with respect to age, public or private sector and hospital board area. The crude hysterectomy rate in 1984 was 4.1 per 10(3) female population. In this year 42% of hysterectomies performed were in the private sector. Rates varied between the different hospital board areas from 1.5 to 7.1 per 10(3) female population. Assuming surgical rates remain constant, a New Zealand female has a 39% chance of undergoing hysterectomy by the age of 85. A review of available world literature shows New Zealand to have a high hysterectomy rate second only to North America.