Vesico Vaginal Fistula (VVF) in Katsina and Kano Centres: Its Psychological and Other Emergent Impact on VVF Patients

Abstract: This research was set to study the causes of vesico vaginal fistula (VVF) and its psychological and medical impacts on VVF patients in Obstetric Fistula Katsina and Kano centres Nigeria. Research’s evident showed that VVF arose from myriads of direct and remote factors. This is against the traditional claim of the cause of VVF in Northern Nigeria. Moreover, much emphasis is often paid on physical injuries of the patient while overlooking the patients’ psychological conditions. This is despite untold suffering the victims may be subjected. Thus, prompting this research where survey method was adopted using interview to capture needed information. Using purposive sampling technique, the total fifty eight (58) VVF/RVF patients were used. The data collected were analyzed using frequency table with simple percentages. The mean scores of psychological level of the patients were determined. Majority of the patients have small body size which underweight having < 18.5 BMI. Significant number of the new born baby recorded large body size. Most of the patients seek medical assistance after more than 2 days of labor. On the psychological stress of the patients under study, it revealed no emotional, physical, behavioral and social stress with recorded ≤ 1.49 mean scores. However, under cognitive and psychological conditions insignificant elements of memory problems and loss of interest were noticed in the patients’ represented by approximately 2 mean scores. Base on the research findings; to check the frequency of the obstetric fistula due to cephalo-pelvic disproportion, counselling can be employed to advice those with small stature to delaying either marriage or pregnancy. Moreover, pregnant women should be encouraged for regular anti-natal clinic during the pregnancy period.