The Socioeconomic and Reproductive Characteristics of Women with Obstetric Fistula in a Teaching Hospital in Jos North Local Government Area. Plateau State, Nigeria

Abstract

Introduction: Social and economic conditions profoundly impact on health of people in terms of health seeking behav iours, health promotion and maintenance of healthy lifestyle. This general occurrence of obstetric fistula has been attribut ed to cultural factors that promote child marriage and poor socio-economic conditions such as; illiteracy, unemployment, lack of knowledge on reproductive health, rural dwelling and poor access to maternal health services and emergency obstetric care. This study seeks to identify the socioeconomic and reproductive health features in women with obstetric fistula in a Teaching Hospital in Jos North Local Government Area. Plateau State, Nigeria. Methodology: The study was conducted between January and March, 2019 at the Bingham University Teaching Hospital Fistula Centre. The research was a cross sectional study design involving all 49 patients present at the VVF Centre BHUTH and the VVF Hostel(Total study population). Results: The youngest patient was 15 years and the oldest 60 years old, majority were in the age group 15 years to 29 years and 30 to 34 years. Most respondents were married, and most were without formal education. A third of their husbands were unemployed and half had no income. Majority of the husbands of the respondents were farmers. A third did not know their husbands income. Most of the patients were farmers and small proportions were petty traders and artisans. A third had no employment before the occurrence of obstetric fistula, this proportion increased to 82% after the occurrence of fistula. On the basis of income (per month) 43% had no income before development of fistula, this increased to 92% after fistula development. Majority of the patients earned between 1,000-9,999 Naira monthly (2.5 USD – 24.99 USD). Conclusion: Most of the patients were farmers and small proportions were petty traders and artisans. Majority of the patients earned between 1,000-9,999 Naira monthly (2.5 USD – 24.99 USD). Women are encouraged to delay marriage a bit and seek formal education. They should take advantage of the girl child education opportunities available to make demands and take opportunity to learn. Communities should support female education as a strategy to reduce unemploy ment, delay early marriage and improve decision making