title: Quality of life following successful repair of vesicovaginal fistula in Nigeria.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The impact of obstetric vesicovaginal fistula (VVF), which continues to occur among women in developing countries, can severely affect the health of the women while the condition persists. This study was designed to discover the effect of successful VVF repair on affected women's quality of life.
  
  
  METHODS
  A comparison of the quality of life of a cross-section of women who had VVF was carried out before and 6 months after successful repair. Quality of life was assessed using the WHO Quality of Life (WHOQOL)-BREF Questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 150 women studied, only 20% felt satisfied with their general state of health and quality of life before the repair, while this increased to 90% following successful repair (highly statistically significant at p<0.000). In the physical health domain, the mean quality of life score was 67.9 ± 4.4 before and 69.3 ± 3.4 after successful repair (p<0.01). In the mental health domain, the mean quality of life score was 32.4 ± 8.7 before and 74.7 ± 3.2 after successful repair (p<0.005). In the social health domain, the mean score was 20.2 ± 2.7 before and 69.7 ± 2.3 after successful repair (p<0.001). In the environment domain, the mean score of quality of life was 60.3 ± 4.3 before repair and 59.7 ± 2.7 after successful repair (comparable at p<0.2).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Successful repair of VVF is associated with significant improvement in the multidimensional quality of life among affected women.
authors: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. draniiyoho@yahoo.com
authors: Aniefiok J
authors: AJ
authors: Umoiyoho
authors: Emmanuel C
authors: EC
authors: Inyang-Etoh
authors: Gabriel M
authors: GM
authors: Abah
authors: Aniekan M
authors: AM
authors: Abasiattai
authors: Okon E
authors: OE
authors: Akaiso
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008603:Mental Health; D009549:Nigeria; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014719:Vesicovaginal Fistula / Q000523:psychology* / Q000601:surgery*; D055815:Young Adult