title: Psychosocial experiences of women with vesicovaginal fistula: a qualitative approach.
abstract: Vesicovaginal fistula (VVF) is a condition associated with a number of physical and psychological consequences. In order to gain a deeper understanding of the issues faced by women diagnosed with VVF, a qualitative exploratory study was carried out to explore the experiences of women suffering from VVF. The study included 8 women hospitalized with the diagnosis of vesicovaginal fistula at Kohi Goth Women's Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan. Semi structured interviews of each participant were conducted, recorded, and transcribed. Five major themes were identified, among which all of the participants experienced physical discomforts, psychological disturbances, issues with social and interpersonal relationships and financial constraints. However, concerns with religious practices were experienced by 87.5% of the participants. Pakistani women who are suffering through VVF face many challenges. Combined efforts should be made to offer supportive services to women suffering from this condition.
authors.affiliation: Medical Surgical Unit, The Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi.
authors.forename: Farah Naz
authors.initials: FN
authors.lastname: Farid
authors.forename: Maimoona
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Azhar
authors.forename: Sunil Sadruddin
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Samnani
authors.forename: Saleema
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Allana
authors.forename: Angeela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Naz
authors.forename: Farzana
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bohar
authors.lastname: Shamim
authors.forename: Shershah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Syed
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003469:Culture; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008875:Middle Aged; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012059:Rejection, Psychology; D012067:Religion; D012752:Shame; D057545:Social Stigma; D012944:Social Support; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology; D014719:Vesicovaginal Fistula / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult