Socio-Economic Consequences of Vesico Vaginal Fistula (VVF) On Patients in Katsina and Kano Centres

This research set to study vesico vaginal fistula (VVF) and its socio-economic impacts on patients in Obstetric Fistula Katsina and Kano centres in Northern Nigeria. Much emphasis is often paid on physical injuries of the patient while overlooking the patients’ social and economic status of the patients. The study sought to gain a deeper understanding of lived experiences of women with obstetric fistula in the two centers, in order to recommend interventions that would both uplift the patients’ moral as well as improve the quality of their life. Thus, prompting this research where survey method was adopted using interview to capture needed information. Purposive sampling technique was adopted to arrive at the sample size of the population. The data collected such as the number, attitude and practices of the VVF patients was analyzed using frequency table with simple percentages. The results indicated 84% to 85% of the patients and their husbands to have attended primary school as the highest educational background and none of them have attended educational level above secondary school. The results also revealed 38% to 40% of the patients to either engage in agriculture or are housewife. Whereas, 33% to 43% of their husband do menial labour or engage in agriculture. Similarly, highers percntage of the patients are from rural areas and have unbalanced nutritional status. Additionally, the finding showed 52% to 55% of the patients and their husbands to be at higher poverty line. However, 62% of the patients received support from both husbands and parents. There should be rigorous and continuous enlighten campaign particularly in the rural areas about the menace VVF/RVF to the women on labour. Government, non- governmental bodies should give more and diversify support; financial food, clothes, pampas and pads to patients in the centers.