The psychosocial impact of vesico-vaginal fistula in Niger.
Summary of "The psychosocial impact of vesico-vaginal fistula in Niger."
PURPOSE:
To explore the psycho-social impact of vesico-vaginal fistula (VVF) on women in Niger. STUDY
DESIGN:
We conducted a qualitative study on 21 women in convalescence at the DIMOL Reproductive Health Center in Niamey, Niger, in 2008 and 2009. The women had undergone 1-3 fistula repair operations and all had stillborn infants.
RESULTS:
Women reported many psychological consequences of VVF including depression, feelings of shame, and loneliness. Others reported feeling devalued as a woman and wanting to end their lives. Social consequences of fistula reported by these women included rejection from society, isolation, rejection from husband and/or divorce. Almost half of the women reported of having lost their social network and support as a result of the fistula. Women with VVF were deemed unworthy, and their illness was often attributed to some fault of their own.
CONCLUSIONS:
Our findings support the notion that socio-economic factors, though they certainly contribute to obstetric fistula, are not the primary reason for fistula, particularly in Niger. Fistula is a direct result of lack of access to skilled birth attendants and emergency obstetric care.
Affiliation
Department of Community and Family Health, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, 13201 Bruce B Downs Blvd, MDC 56, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA, aalio@health.usf.edu.
Journal Details
This article was published in the following journal.
Name: Archives of gynecology and obstetrics
ISSN: 1432-0711
Pages:
Links
- PubMed Source: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20803210
- DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00404-010-1652-5
Medical and Biotech [MESH] Definitions
Vaginal Fistula
An abnormal anatomical passage that connects the VAGINA to other organs, such as the bladder (VESICOVAGINAL FISTULA) or the rectum (RECTOVAGINAL FISTULA).
Intestinal Fistula
An abnormal anatomical passage between the INTESTINE, and another segment of the intestine or other organs. External intestinal fistula is connected to the SKIN (enterocutaneous fistula). Internal intestinal fistula can be connected to a number of organs, such as STOMACH (gastrocolic fistula), the BILIARY TRACT (cholecystoduodenal fistula), or the URINARY BLADDER of the URINARY TRACT (colovesical fistula). Risk factors include inflammatory processes, cancer, radiation treatment, and surgical misadventures (MEDICAL ERRORS).
Vaginal Smears
Collection of pooled secretions of the posterior vaginal fornix for cytologic examination.
Episiotomy
An incision of the posterior vaginal wall and a portion of the pudenda which enlarges the vaginal introitus to facilitate delivery and prevent lacerations.
Oroantral Fistula
A fistula between the maxillary sinus and the oral cavity.
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