title: Vesico-vaginal fistula in Eastern Nigeria.
abstract: Our objective was to examine the epidemiological determinants of vesico-vaginal fistula in Eastern Nigeria, and maternal characteristics and sociocultural factors predisposing to vesico-vaginal fistula. The case-records of 74 patients with vesico-vaginal fistula were reviewed. The mean age of the patients was 34.1 years and the mean age at occurrence of fistula was 30.1 years. A total of 24 women (32.4%) presented within 6 months of fistula formation. They were mainly multipara, housewives, subsistence farmers and still living with their husbands. A total of 68 (91.9%) developed a fistula following prolonged obstructed labour. Juxta-cervical fistula was the most common, 33 (44.6%) followed by juxta-urethral 11 (14.9%). The other associated morbidity included chronic vulval excoriation, cervical damage and amenorrhoea. Fetal wastage was high with 53 (77.9%) stillbirths and four (5.9%) early neonatal deaths. Vesico-vaginal fistula is still a major problem in the developing countries and a reflection of standard of obstetric care currently available to our women.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, PMB 01129, Enugu, Nigeria. uzoegwui@yahoo.co.uk
authors.forename: H U
authors.initials: HU
authors.lastname: Ezegwui
authors.forename: E E
authors.initials: EE
authors.lastname: Nwogu-Ikojo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric / Q000009:adverse effects; D003906:Developing Countries / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004420:Dystocia; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D014719:Vesicovaginal Fistula / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000209:etiology