Evaluation of the Impact of Educational Status and Cultural Beliefs on the Health Seeking Behavior of Women with Obstetric Fistula in South-South and South Eastern Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Obstetric fistula is a serious health problem affecting women in low and middle-income countries. It continues to exist in Nigeria because the health care system has failed to provide quality, accessible and affordable maternal health care including family planning, skilled care at birth, basic and comprehensive emergency obstetric care and inadequate access to treatment of obstetric fistula cases. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of educational status and cultural beliefs on the health seeking behavior of women with obstetric fistula in South-South and South Eastern Nigeria. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study. Non-probability sampling involving purposive and simple random sampling technique was adopted in the selection of one hundred and fifty (150) post-operative patients. The data was analyzed using thematic analysis frequency tables and percentage distribution. Results: The findings were that educational status and cultural belief exert significant influence on the health seeking behavior of women with obstetric fistula. Conclusion: The study indicated that obstetric fistula is a major reproductive health challenge affecting women of childbearing age in Nigeria. Based on the findings of the study, educational status and cultural belief of women with obstetric fistula are the major serious challenges to health seeking behaviour of the women with Vesico-vaginal fistula (VVF). It was therefore recommended that more awareness on obstetric fistula should be created using strategies such as sex education programmed in secondary schools and churches so as to educate them on issues concerning obstetric fistula as well as health talk on VVF for youths.