PREVALENCE AND KNOWLEDGE ASSESSMENT OF OBSTETRIC FISTULA AMONG WOMEN ACCESSING OBSTETRIC CARE AT GAMBO SAWABA GENERAL HOSPITAL ZARIA

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CHAPTER ONE

Introduction

The importance of adequate health care to citizens of all nations cannot be over-stressed. The provision of adequate health care contributes immensely to the overall development of any nation. Similarly, poor health delivery contributes negatively to the development of a nation.

The prevalence of obstetric vesicovaginal fistula (VVF) in developing countries particularly among young women has become a major health problem that deserves serious attention by government of such countries. According to World Health Organization (WHO) obstructed labor contributes significantly to maternal death (WHO, 2014). In Nigeria, because of its prevalence, obstetric vesicovaginal fistula particularly in the northern states, due consideration is given to obstetric fistula by World bodies such as United States Agency for International Development (USAID). For example, in one of its projects in 2013, about 2822 women were treated obstetric fistula (USAID, 2013).

            Statement of the problem

Due to the persistence of VVF in emerging countries, Nigeria inclusive, it becomes imperative to study this phenomenon because of its likely negative impact on the affected population. The rising number of the cases of obstetric VVF particularly in the northern part of Nigeria makes it necessary to undertake this study. This is further justified by the revelation of USAID of 50,000 to 100,000 cases and with new ones yearly. The assessments of the prevalence and knowledge of obstetric VVF in Zaria, Kaduna State which, is in the Northern part of Nigeria, mostly affected by the  disease makes it worthwhile.

          Aims and Objectives of the study:

This study is concerned with the prevalence of obstetric VVF and factors responsible for its occurrence among women in Kaduna state. It also centers on the categories of women that suffer from the disease and finding ways of preventing the occurrence of the disease among women in Kaduna state, which is the focus of the study. It is for these obvious reasons that the study concentrates on Gambo Sawaba General Hospital Zaria, Kaduna State; a major service point for fistula surgery. The research design of the study is descriptive. It assesses the characteristics of women suffering from obstetric fistula. Data in respect of their place of birth, presence of a skilled birth attendant, the duration of labor, mode of delivery, the presence of antennal care, the age at marriage and the age of first delivery.

          Research questions

The study dwells on research questions such as:

  1. What are the causes of obstetric VVF?
  • What are some of the preventable measures of obstetric VVF?
  • What are some of the treatment measures of obstetric VVF?
  • What are the categories of women that suffer from obstetric VVF?

            Hypothesis

The following hypothesis are proffered for the study:

  1. Early marriage contributes significantly to the prevalence of obstetric fistula in Zaria and its environs. It is a common tradition among the indigenes of Zaria local government and its neighboring villages to marry off girls at a very young age, and this is because the people do not really understand the outcomes of giving birth at a young age.
    1. Illiteracy has direct relationship with the occurrence of obstetric fistula. Lack of knowledge and information on obstetric fistula will be the major factor that drives the occurrence of the disease.
    1. Lack of adequate ante-natal care contributes greatly to the occurrence of obstetric fistula in Zaria and its environs.

          Assumptions of the study:

The study assumes that obstetric fistula has negative effect on the affected women. Besides, psychological problems it can also impact negatively on the productivity and wellbeing of the affected women (patients). This can also affect the population growth of women in the affected area