Abstract

Samaila Bala Baba

This study examined the Psycho-social and Medical consequences of obstetric fistula among VVF patients in three VVF Centers (Katsina, Kano & Zaria) in North Western Nigeria. Enumeration of respondents in each hospital was based on availability according to size of hospital. A total of 436 patients within the age groups 10 to 25years and above, across the three hospitals, were interviewed. The sample size was considered adequate due to the homogeneous nature of the population and also, the total respondents in the three hospitals did not add up to 500 patients. Individual hypothesis was tested using Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation (PPMC). Pearson’s’ r was used to test for the degree of association between variables. The study finds significant correlation between both psycho-social & medical consequences and obstetric fistula r .780 and r .726, respectively. It has, thus, been established that the impact of psycho-social consequences of obstetric fistula is more on sufferers than medical consequences. Recommendations were made to government, non-governmental agencies and the communities for the provision of more support towards the reduction of the incidence of obstetric fistula, as well as rehabilitation, social re-integration, care and support to current sufferers.