EFFECT OF VESICO VAGINAL FISTULA (VVF) ON THE PSYCHO-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR OF RURAL WOMEN IN KHANA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, RIVERS STATE

Abstract

The study investigated the influence of Vesico Vaginal Fistula (VVF) on the psycho-social behavior of rural women in Khana Local Government Area, Rivers State. The objectives were to determine conditions that pre-dispose the victims to the disease and find out how such disease condition influence them psychologically and socially. This is a descriptive survey study in which 50 victims of VVF provided the information using structured interview schedule. Data were analyzed descriptively using percentage and mean statistics as 50% and 2.50 values and above were considered positive. The study found that most cases of VVF resulted from poor handling of delivery process and prolonged and obstructed labour. It was also found that the non-stop dripping of urine, produces offensive odour that makes people avoid the victims thereby leaving them traumatized socially and psychologically. The study therefore, recommended that rural women should be educated on how to handle maternal issues especially pregnancy and delivery, as government should make concerted efforts to treat, rehabilitate and integrate the victims back into the society.