title: Obstetric fistula repair: experience with hospital-based outreach approach in Nigeria.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The huge back-log of obstetric fistula and the increasing incidence of the condition in Nigeria is a cause for concern for all stake-holders. This worrisome trend requires concerted effort with innovative strategies to redress the situation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Hospital-based outreach programs sponsored by a non-governmental organization with volunteer medical and health personnel were used to repair selected cases of obstetric fistula in Nigeria.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fifty-two relatively simple obstetric fistulas were selected out of 68 (selection rate 76.5%) that presented for repair at 12 outreach programs in 5 different states of Nigeria. All the cases were repaired by one trained gynecological surgeon with a cure rate of 100%. The majority (50.0%) of the women were aged between 16 and 20 years with a mean age of 23.8 years ± 3.6. Most (80.9%) of the women in the study population were primiparous. The majority (50.0%) of the women were divorced at the time of their presentation for repair. A vast majority (76.9%) of the women had either primary level of education or no formal education. There was a preponderance (53.8%) of juxtacervical VVF among women in the study population.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of hospital- based outreach approach to repair simple cases of obstetric fistula if multiplied could help reduce the large number of women living with unrepaired VVF in Nigeria.
authors.affiliation: Dept of Obstetrics & Gynecology University of Uyo Nigeria, Nigeria. emmacol2000@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Anifeiok J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Umoiyoho
authors.forename: Emmanuel C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Inyang-Etoh
authors.forename: Etiobong A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Etukumana
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008875:Middle Aged; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D010298:Parity; D018579:Patient Selection; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000601:surgery*; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014719:Vesicovaginal Fistula / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000601:surgery*; D055815:Young Adult